One of the high-class music educational centers in Belgium, the Queen Elizabeth’s Music Capella, is expanding its cooperation with Armenia. In order to strengthen cultural ties and establish new partnerships, Gregor Chappell, the chief executive officer of the Queen Elizabeth Music Cappella, is in Armenia.
“Armenpress”–At the press conference held in the press hall, Eric De Muynk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium to the Republic of Armenia, mentioned that a rather full agenda is expected: meetings, a concert program.
“Our goal is to create bridges between institutions, peoples and specialists of Belgium and Armenia. Gregor Chappell is in Armenia to help create a new bridge to expand cooperation between the two countries. Armenia has excellent cultural institutions, in recent years we have tried to establish ties with Belgian partners. And now we want to strengthen the ties between the Armenian structures and the musical capella of Queen Elizabeth”, said the ambassador.
Founded in 1939 under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, the Queen Elizabeth Music Capella is internationally recognized in the field of classical music. It is a good opportunity for young artists. Every year, the musical cappella hosts many artists from various countries, with whom internationally renowned specialists work. At the core of Cappella’s mission is the transfer of musical mastery to the next generation. In the past, individual individuals from Armenia applied and received their education in this prestigious educational center. Gregor Chappell, chief executive officer of Queen Elizabeth’s musical cappella, noted that now an attempt is being made to put the process on an institutional basis and to direct more young people to the institution with the cooperation of state institutions and partners.
“I consider this not a beginning of friendship, but a continuation. The cooperation between the Queen Elizabeth Music Capella and the Armenians started in 1939. It is known that from that time there were warm relations between Queen Elizabeth and composer Aram Khachatryan. Taking this into account, we can say that we are not here to establish new ties, but to continue the relations,” said Gregor Chappel.
Armenians living in Belgium and the Armenian diaspora have a great role in strengthening the cultural ties between Armenia and Belgium and expanding cooperation. AGBU has contributed to the formation of this new bridge of cooperation, which encourages young professionals with many educational programs. Vazgen Yakubyan, chairman of AGBU Armenian branch and member of the central board, noted that this year is symbolic for AGBU, because they are celebrating the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the organization.
“We are working in several directions, including education, culture. And the cooperation with Queen Elizabeth’s musical cappella is not accidental. We provide grants in various fields, including performing arts. Even before that, we had people who continued their education in the musical cappella with our grants, so it is expected that there will be more applicants, and we will discuss the possibilities of support,” said Vazgen Yakubyan, emphasizing that the diaspora’s involvement in the programs implemented in Armenia is large.
Armenian musicians can apply for education at the Queen Elizabeth Music Capella in any of 6 majors: piano, cello, violin, viola, chamber music, vocal. Applications are accepted through the official website, after which the applicant artists send recordings of their performances, after which they are invited to Belgium for auditions. Admission is quite competitive. Those admitted study for 3 years.
