Asbarez reports that on Sept. 21, when the world watched the dramatic arrival of Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles, the welcoming ceremony at LAX was made all the more unforgettable as it included breathtaking artistic performances led by maestro Aram Gharabekian. The program, comprising music and dance presentations throughout the arrival ceremony, featured the Open Music Fest Orchestra, tenor Steve Amerson, and choreographer Aida Amirkhanian and the Open Music Fest dancers.
The arrival ceremony, held at United Airlines hangar at LAX, was attended by some 600 guests, among them several elected officials. Dignitaries who delivered remarks at the event included Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Inglewood mayor James Butts, and California Science Center president and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph. The event’s mistress of ceremonies was actress Nichelle Nichols, of Star Trek fame.
Toward noon, the ceremony’s artistic program kicked off with a highly spirited flash-mob dance performance inside the hangar, featuring the Open Music Fest Dancers led by Aida Amirkhanian. The dancers, dressed as VIPs, performed to a specially created soundtrack, with works by Richard Strauss, James Brown, and Aaron Copland, as well as a recording of the poem “The Early Morning in Space,” recited by its author, Hilaire Belloc.
NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, carrying Endeavour, touched down to the glorious strokes of timpani, bass drum, and tam-tam, the opening of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Offstage, trumpets and horns played the opening phrase of the fanfare while the Open Music Fest Orchestra musicians joined the percussion in front of the podium. It was at this juncture, as Endeavour and its host aircraft taxied toward the hangar, that Gharabekian approached the orchestra and conducted the fanfare. With the climax of the fanfare, the shuttle came to its final halt in front of the guests.
“It was a profoundly humbling experience to conduct Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ while Endeavour took its last few steps before coming to a spectacular stop,” Gharabekian said. “I will never forget the expression and emotions of the musicians and guests at this larger-than-life sight of man’s scientific triumph. I was deeply moved by the historic moment, and will always treasure the enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment which our musicians, dancers, and the entire OMSF team brought to this unique celebration.”
Alina Koutnouyan, executive producer of the ceremony’s artistic program and COO of the OMSF, said, “As commented on by several news networks, the music and performances created a profound moment of grandeur for Endeavour’s arrival. The historical significance of the moment will forever be remembered each time we hear Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare for the Common Man.’”
On her part, choreographer Aida Amirkhanian said, “Time stood still and everything became perfect as the shuttle did its last majestic dance to the dignified music played by the orchestra. It was a magnificent experience to watch the birth of the OMSF as Endeavour was retiring. The beginning and the end united to create a rare moment of universal perfection. It was one of the most beautiful choreographies I have ever seen: so instinctive, so resplendent, so dignified, and so perfect.”
About the OMSF: The Open Music Society Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing musical education and mentorship for young talent, and increasing public interest in the arts through Open Music Fest, an unprecedented and unique series of arts festivals in which artistic collaboration embraces cultural diversity.
