“There was obviously great rapport with their conductor who brought out the best.” – Leicester Mercury Bedros Shetilian was born in Aleppo, Syria. After finishing Haigazian and Karen Yeppe Armenian schools, he moved to Armenia and studied at Yerevan’s Romanos Melikian Musical College, majoring in choral conducting. His graduation exam was supervised by Daniel Yerashisht. Afterwards, he moved to Russia, where he graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in the class of Yuri Temirkanov.
While a student at the Conservatory, Bedros was invited to conduct Leicester’s The Bardi Orchestra in England. This was followed by a successful debut with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Bedros then continued his intensive concert life, conducting a variety of orchestras both in Russia and abroad. He worked with the Armenian National Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Camerata “Hermitage Museum Orchestra”, Italian International Orchestra, Varonej Philharmonic, Saratov Philharmonic among others. For several years, he was the Music Director of Krasnodar Philharmonic in southern Russia. Bedros also worked with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and toured with the Orchestra throughout Europe. Lanstidningen Ostersund newspaper in Sweden described one of his concerts by writing, “If this concert had been recorded, it could immediately have been issued by any record company in the world,” while Barometern of Oland called it “absolutely world-class!”
Bedros was awarded a medal and a diploma from the Russian Cultural Foundation for his achievements in conducting. He has participated in several music festivals such as the Moscow Easter Festival and Borgholms International Music Festival in Sweden.
Throughout his life, Bedros has always been close to his faith and the church. In 2003, after being ordained as a married priest for the Armenian Apostolic Church (Cilicia Catholicosate), Bedros moved to the United States with his family.
In 2008, Bedros founded The Troy Orchestra in Troy, New York. He managed the Orchestra and was its Music Director for over five years. In addition, Bedros participated in the St. Petersburg Palaces International Music Festival, and he worked with London Mozart Players at St. John’s Smith Square in London.
Bedros Shetilian returned to Armenia in 2022 for a concert with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia. This past fall, Bedros conducted the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in a concert to honor Catholicos Aram I during his visit to the US.
In recent years, Bedros was awarded the highest Diamond Prize at the online Royal Music Competition. He also received a Technical Marvel special award at the same contest. One of Bedros’ awards was the Best Conductor and Gold Star prizes at the Music and Stars Awards, while last summer he was awarded both the Grand Prix and the Platinium Prize at the Global Genius Music Competition.
Currently, Bedros lives in Massachusetts, USA, where he combines both his callings – being a musician and a clergyman.
This is Bedros’ third appearance with the Armenian National Philharmonic.
