October 2, 2009 - 17:25 AMT
Jivan Gasparyan acquires land area for building duduk school but lacks proper means
There are a lot of duduk (Armenian folk windpipe instrument) players in Armenia, but we lack of top-class players. We need a special school to educate such specialists," renowned Armenian musician Jivan Gasparyan told today a news conference in Yerevan.

Musician has acquired a land area (270 sq. m.) in Yerevan English Park for building "Jivan Gasparyan" school. However, he lacks proper means. "That's an important and gratifying initiative, so I hope to receive Armenian businessmen's support," duduk player said.

Outstanding Armenian composer Jivan Gasparyan was born in 1928 in Solag village (Armenia). He has won four medals at UNESCO worldwide competitions (1959, 1962, 1973, and 1980). In 1973, Gasparyan was awarded the honorary title People's Artist of Armenia, and in 2002, he received the WOMEX (World Music Expo) Lifetime Achievement Award. A professor at the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory, he has instructed and nurtured many performers to professional levels of performance in duduk.