NEW YORK, NY—“It is always my distinct pleasure to be with generations of women coming together for the Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day luncheon,” said Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. “Love and respect are the hallmarks of this annual event which make it a very special occasion and I am looking forward to this year’s celebration of motherhood,” said the Prelate.

The PLG’s Mothers Day luncheon will take place on Monday, May 8, at The St. Regis, 2 East 55th Street, in New York City. The event, which has become an anticipated event for women in the metropolitan area and beyond, will take place in the beautiful St. Regis Roof with reception beginning at 11:30 am, followed by luncheon at 12:30 pm.

A special Musical Interlude, “Voices of Spring,” has been put together specifically for this event and will be presented in honor of all mothers. The musical program will feature singers Ross Chitwood, Jeanette Vecchione, Solange Merdinian and pianist Vlad Iftinca. They will present a delightful program that will include the music of Mozart, Bernstein, Offenbach, Puccini as well as a selection of Armenian songs. The talented artists have come together specifically for the PLG Mothers Day luncheon. All are in their senior year at the Juilliard School of Music and will be going on for advanced degrees next year.

Above all else, the annual luncheon is an opportunity for mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughter, aunts and nieces to share an afternoon, enjoying the company of new and old friends, amidst joyous, congenial and elegant surroundings. Donation for the luncheon is $115 per person.

Voices of Spring
With the beautiful season of spring already evident all around, the musical salute to spring will be a welcome addition to the luncheon’s program.

The three singers are in their senior year at the Juilliard School of Music and are planning to go on for advanced degrees next year.

Ross Chitwood, tenor, has appeared in various workshops and in roles at the famous Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Aspen Music Festival. He was admitted into Juilliard with Presidential Distinction.

Jeanette Vecchione was first prize winner in the Long Island Choral Society Vocal Competition in 2002 and first prize winner in the International Glenn Miller Vocal Competition in 2003.

Solange Merdinian, mezzo-soprano, began her music studies at the age of 3. She was accepted into the Pre-College Division of Juilliard as a double major in Voice and Flute. Ms. Merdinian has attended a number of prestigious summer programs. In February 2006 she was cast in the Juilliard School’s production of “The Magic Flute, in celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday.

Vlad Iftinca has extensive experience in collaborative piano. He was the first student to graduate in 2004 with a Master’s Degree in Vocal Accompanying from the Mannes College of Music. He is now continuing his graduate studies at The Juilliard School.

Throughout its more than thirty years of existence, the Prelacy Ladies Guild has been a dynamic force and attentive to the needs of the Eastern Prelacy. During the year the PLG is the host of the many receptions at the Prelacy for visiting dignitaries, and also a major contributor to the Prelacy’s educational and cultural programs such as the St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, the Prelacy’s Lenten Lectures series, and Musical Armenia, to mention just a few of the projects that benefit from PLG support.

“The PLG has truly earned the respect and support that is evident in our community,” said Archbishop Oshagan. “They are dedicated and gifted women who serve the Church with devotion and I am very grateful to them.”

For information and/or reservations to the luncheon contact Mrs. Lucille Sahagian at 203-337-6696 or the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810.

# # #