When Ian Gillan and Tony Iommi finally made it to the Gyumri N6 Music School through the crowd of rock lovers eager to meet them, the orchestra was already waiting on the stage, ready to perform ‘Smoke on the Water’. The rock legends re-recorded that song 30 years ago to raise funds for Armenia when the country was reeling after a powerful earthquake.

In 2009, Mediamax launched the Armenia Grateful 2 Rock project and invited Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) and founder of Rock Aid Armenia Jon Dee to Armenia. The guests had many a reason to feel emotional while visiting Spitak and Gyumri, but one thing caught their eye over the others: the miserable state of Gyumri N6 Musical School, cooped up in containers (“domiks”), and the talent of its students. 

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

The decision was made: secure a better environment for the children and give them the opportunity to dream big. Four years later, Mediamax and Jon Dee’s Do Something in partnership with Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) opened the new building of the school.

“We used to give concerts in these containers, on crushed stone, by the light of a petroleum lamp. Now we feel like we have moved from a shack to a palace,” said Anahit Seyranyan, who taught violin at N6 School for 34 years.

Ian Gillan

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

The hall was too small to host all who came to see the rock legends, and whoever was left outside simply watched through the open windows. Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan entered the school to the applause, and for the next 40 minutes they applauded themselves, standing up sometimes, to encourage the young musicians. 

Nune Nazaryan was 16 years old when they visited N6 School for the first time. She had completed her violin course and started the singing course. For the distinguished guests, she sang a jazz song for the guests. Ten years later Nune was back on the stage, this time to perform a rock composition.

Nune Nazaryan

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

“Meeting them in person had such a huge impact on me. It made my love for rock much stronger. I decided that rock was my life and I had to be in it. I have been preparing for this concert for two months, but I still can’t believe it is real. I am so, so happy to have the honor to perform for Ian Gillan and Tony Iommi for the second time. Any musician and music lover can understand what I am feeling,” said Nune and showed us her electric guitar, which now bears the autographs of her idols.

Nune Nazaryan and Tony Iommi

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

Gyumri N6 Music Shool has 220 students now. The teachers say the number went up after the new building was opened. More children have the opportunity to get music education.

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

“It was fantastic, just fantastic. The spirit of music is here again. Music is the easiest way to unite people, make them happy. The spirit of music has returned to Gyumri,” said Gillan.

He attended the opening of the school in 2013, but for Tony Iommi, this was the first visit.

Tony Iommi with the children

Photo: Vaghinak Ghazaryan/Mediamax

“It’s great to see young people so involved in music and playing with so much love. I really enjoyed their performance. I am so, so proud to be a part of all this,” he said.

Lusine Gharibyan 

Photos by Vaghinak Ghazaryan (specially for Mediamax)