Music Education for Displaced Children in Armenia

Greetings! My name is Satik Andriassian. I am a university music professor based in the Southern California where I have been teaching music for many years to students of diverse backgrounds. During the summer 2023, I organized a tour of Armenia with my university guitar ensemble where we performed in several music halls which were received with great enthusiasm. During this trip I also organized visits to several communities in remote villages where many displaced families from different parts of the world live as the result of political conflicts in their home country. Our visits entailed meet and greet, presentations of our music, and cultural exchanges.

One of the important outcomes of our visits was the encouragement I received to return back to these villages and help organize sustainable music programs for the children. The teachers expressed how a music program would be so beneficial for these children emotionally and socially. Many of these children in their short lives have endured many atrocities and having meaningful activities such as music will be nurturing and comforting for them.

It was clear instantly that this is nothing short of an honor and a privilege for me to take on this opportunity and do everything I can to assist with this project; building music programs for the displaced children in Armenia. After some research and discussion with those in charge, a plan was set in motion. My plan entails an annual summer music program. During each visit I will focus on one village where I will meet with students on a daily basis for one to two weeks. During these sessions, the students will learn about the fundamentals of music and how to play the basics of the guitar in a group setting. Upon my departure, their teachers will continue, throughout the year, as a liaison working with me remotely to continue implementing the lessons plans.

In order for this this plan to materialize, we need guitars, method books, music notebooks and tuners. For summer 2024, I would like to purchase 15 guitars and the supplemental materials. Each guitar will cost $120, method books $12, music notebook $5 and Tuners $10. This means $127 per students for a total of $2,655 will enable me to start this valuable program for the summer 2024. As a token of appreciation, anyone who sponsors one full package (a guitar and the supplemental material) will have a personalized engraved tags placed on the guitar. “Donated by Name”

Please consider donating to this important cause and be assured that 100% of your donation will be used for the children’s music program. I will handle all the shipping costs, all the initial instructions and the follow up remote weekly lessons. Please keep in mind I will provide my own travel and accommodation expenses.

Lastly, I believe each and every one of us have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We all have something to offer and nothing is insignificant. I know through music making these precious children will not only find joy, comfort and peace they will also have a meaningful activity in their lives.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and find this initiation worthy of your generous donation.

Thank you very much.

Satik Andriassian