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Alexander (Shoora) Michaelian: 1934 -

By Esha Emmanuel Tamras

Alexander (Shoora) Michailian, son of Peera and Anna, was born in the city of Kharkov, Russia in 1934. His passion for music was evident at an early age to his parents, especially his mother. Upon their discovery of their son's hidden talents they placed him under the direction of two famous Russian music professors, Mr. Wichman and Shepdro to study classical violin. His diligent hard work payed off when at the ripe age of 12 he was to lead the musical group in his own school.

The family immigrated to Iran and settled in Hamadan, however after the death of his father, his mother moved the family to Abadan, Iran. When he was only 15 years of age he met the renowned Assyrian musician the late Rabi William Daniel and Shoora became a student of his.

In 1949 he moved from Abadan where he found himself in the company of many European musicians. Here he organized a 13 member Choir group which performed his own Assyrian compositions as well as Iranian and European musical compositions. In a short span of time his musical talent and violin performance won the hearts of the audience in this territory.

When guests of the Shah of Iran gathered from all over the world to celebrate the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire in 1971, the music of Shoora Michailian accompanied the festivities.

In addition to composing and conducting, he was also a judge for Iran's annual national music camp at Ramsar. The camp gave music students practice in both folk and classical music. On an exchange basis, students from Romania, Yugoslavia, Austria and other European countries also attended the annual camps.

Michailian was also responsible for preparation of a regular music program for children on Iran's state radio. He also assumed responsibility for the department of music throughout the schools of Tehran. During Iran's participation in an international musical competition in Bolonia, Italy, one of Mr. Michailian's compositions won the first place award, an event that was covered in Iranian and Italian newspapers, this award also won him the title of the Director of the Fine Arts department in of Iran's Ministry of Education.

In 1980 Shoora, his wife Lily and daughter Sabrina immigrated to the United States of America and settled in Chicago, Illinois were he was very active in musical events. In 1982 the Michailian family moved to Turlock, California and again became very active in Assyrian cultural events.

Some of Shoora Michailian's accomplishments during 30 years of musical life in Iran.

Assignments, Appointments & Awards
Head of the Music department in the cities of Tehran, Hamadan and Abadan, Iran
Director of the Fine Arts department of Iran's Ministry of Education
Music instructions to Iran's school teachers
Winner of the first place award for his composition for children during an Asian/ European musical contest held at Balonia, Italy in 1987
Received the Royal award from the Shah of Iran for his special composition for the celebration of the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire
Wrote the music scores for all of the religious hymns of the Assyrian Church of the East, with the approval of his holiness Mar. Dinkha IV

Some of Shoora Michailian's accomplishments in the United States of America since 1980.

Date Event and Location
Jan 1983 Established the Nabouram choir and Orchestra
Feb 1983 Nabouram choir group presented a program in San Francisco during an event honoring Assyrian authors and musicians
Mar 1983 Naburam choir group performed in the Assyrian Council ???? sponsored by Bet Nahrain in Modesto, California
Mar 1983 Nabouram choir group performed during the celebration of the Assyrian New Year held by the Assyrian Civic Club of Turlock, California
Apr 1983 Nabouram choir group performed during the celebration of the Assyrian New Year held by the Assyrian American Association of San Jose, California
Jul 1983 Nabouram choir group performed at an event sponsored by the Assyrian Civic Club of Turlock, California
Oct 1983 Nabouram choir group performed at an event sponsored by the Assyrian Foundation of America in Berkeley, California
Oct 1983 Nabouram choir group performed at an event sponsored by the Assyrian American Association of Los Angeles, California
Dec 1983 Nabouram Assyrian youth symphony orchestra group performed a violin concert using the Suzuki violin method
1984 Organized, arranged and instructed the choir group of the Assyrian Church of the East in Chicago, Illinois, Turlock, California and Sydney, Australia
Jun 1984 Nabouram Assyrian youth symphony orchestra group performed a violin concert at the Modesto Junior College auditorium for more than 850 people
Mar 1985 Nabouram choir group performed during the 5th Annual Modesto Festival of the Arts held at Modesto's Vintage Faire mall
Jan 1988 Nabouram choir group performed in Turlock, California at a program sponsored by the Global Education Program, aiming to replace stereotypes about cultures with facts
Apr 1988 Nabouram Assyrian youth choir and symphony orchestra group performed at the Turlock Junior High School, California
May 1989 Nabouram choir group performed at the Turlock Junior High School in Turlock, California for an audience of over 1000 during the 23rd Assyrian State Convention
Sep 1991 Nabouram choir group performed at an event sponsored by the Assyrian Civic Club of Turlock, California
Aug 1996 Nabouram choir group performed at the Modesto Junior College auditorium

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Updated September 28, 1997
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