Omar Papikyan

He was born in Leninakan (now Gyumri). In 1948 he entered the A. Tigranyan Music School, in the piano class. From the age of 15 he was a member of a military brass band. He graduated from the Kara-Murza Music College, class of Artashes Fljyan, having chosen the trombone as his instrument. After graduating he entered the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, in the class of Vinikios Hovhannisyan (professor). In 1963 he joined the symphony orchestra of the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1964 he played in the State Brass Band of Armenia led by Haykaz Mesiayan, and in 1966 in the Symphony Orchestra of Armenian Radio and Television as a soloist. He was one of the founders of the Radio Estrada Orchestra. In 1990 he played in the Armenian State Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded the "Veteran of Labour" medal. For the 2798th anniversary of Yerevan and "for the development of cultural life and achievements in musical art" he was awarded the Mayor's Gold Medal. In 1985 he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.