The classical music community is mourning the unexpected passing of Asadour Santourian, a respected arts administrator, educator, and longtime advocate for orchestral music. He was 68 years old.

Santourian built a distinguished career spanning several decades, working with major musical institutions across the United States and contributing to artistic planning, administration, education, and programming. His death has prompted reflection among colleagues, musicians, educators, students, and audiences who encountered his work throughout his career.

Remembering Asadour Santourian

Santourian was widely recognized for his experience in artistic administration and planning, with leadership positions at several prominent classical music organizations.

He served as vice president of the Tanglewood Music Center and Tanglewood Learning Institute, a position he held for approximately ten months before resigning in December 2022. His time at Tanglewood occurred during a difficult period for the institution, including controversy surrounding its administration.

Reports at the time included allegations of bullying involving Santourian. An investigation into those allegations was reportedly abandoned after his departure. Santourian resigned during the same week as Boston Symphony Orchestra president Gail Samuel.

While that period became one chapter of his professional history, Santourian’s career extended far beyond his brief tenure at Tanglewood and included decades of work dedicated to classical music and arts education.

A Career Spanning Major Musical Institutions

Before joining Tanglewood, Santourian served as vice president of artistic administration at the Aspen Music Festival and School and worked as director of artistic planning at the Minnesota Orchestra.

His professional journey also included work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was involved in educational and artistic initiatives and worked alongside Gail Samuel.

Through these positions, Santourian contributed to the planning and presentation of musical programs while working with artists, educators, students, administrators, and audiences.

His career reflected a longstanding commitment to the development of classical music and the institutions responsible for bringing orchestral performances and educational opportunities to the public.

Serving the Rogue Valley Symphony

At the time of his death, Santourian was serving as interim executive director of the Rogue Valley Symphony in Oregon.

His continued involvement with the organization demonstrated that his professional relationship with the classical music world remained active after his years at larger institutions.

For colleagues who worked alongside him, his career represented a significant period of involvement in the administration and development of orchestral music. His experience in artistic planning and institutional leadership allowed him to influence programs and organizations across different regions of the country.

A Complex Professional Legacy

Santourian’s professional legacy includes both substantial contributions to classical music and periods of institutional controversy.

His short tenure at Tanglewood attracted scrutiny, particularly following allegations concerning his conduct and the subsequent investigation. Those events remain part of the public record surrounding that chapter of his career.

At the same time, his decades of work with organizations including the Aspen Music Festival and School, Minnesota Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Tanglewood, and Rogue Valley Symphony formed a broader professional history marked by extensive involvement in classical music administration and education.

For those who knew Santourian professionally, his death represents the loss of an experienced figure whose career intersected with numerous musicians, educators, students, and arts organizations.

Classical Music Community Mourns

News of Santourian’s death has brought sadness to those who knew him personally and professionally. Former colleagues and members of the classical music community are reflecting on his career, his influence on musical institutions, and the many relationships he developed throughout his years in the arts.

His passing leaves family, friends, colleagues, musicians, educators, and others who knew him grieving while remembering the different ways his professional life contributed to the musical world.

Details regarding the cause of Asadour Santourian’s death, obituary, funeral arrangements, visitation, and memorial services were not provided in the information available. Any announcements concerning services should be confirmed through his family or an authorized source.

As the classical music community remembers Asadour Santourian, condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues, musicians, educators, students, and everyone affected by his passing.

Asadour Santourian will be remembered for his decades of involvement in classical music, arts administration, artistic planning, and education. May his loved ones find comfort in cherished memories and in the professional legacy he leaves behind.

Disclaimer: Information here is for general information purposes only. Details concerning Asadour Santourian’s death, cause of death, funeral arrangements, and memorial services should be confirmed through official family announcements or authorized sources. Not all information circulating online may be accurate or independently verified.