The music community is mourning the unexpected death of Asadour Santourian, a longtime arts administrator who served as vice president of the Tanglewood Music Center and Tanglewood Learning Institute before leaving the position in 2022. Santourian, 68, was serving as interim executive director of the Rogue Valley Symphony in Oregon at the time of his death, according to the report published by Slipped Disc on August 19, 2026.
His career included senior positions with several prominent American music organizations. Before joining Tanglewood, Santourian served as vice president of artistic administration at the Aspen Music Festival and director of artistic planning at the Minnesota Orchestra. He also worked in an educational capacity with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Santourian joined Tanglewood in 2022 and remained there for approximately ten months. His tenure ended amid an internal controversy involving allegations of bullying, which were reportedly abandoned after his departure. He resigned in December 2022 during a period of significant leadership changes at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Despite the controversies surrounding his time at Tanglewood, Santourian’s broader career was defined by decades of involvement in classical music administration, artistic planning and education.
His sudden death has brought sadness to colleagues and members of the music community who knew him through his work at orchestras, festivals and educational programs across the United States.
Asadour Santourian Cause of Death
The cause and circumstances of Santourian’s death have not been publicly disclosed in the information available. No specific illness, accident or other cause should be attributed to his passing without confirmation from his family or an authoritative source.
Funeral and memorial arrangements have also not been announced.
Santourian’s death marks the loss of a veteran figure in American classical music administration. Condolences go to his family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him throughout his long career in the arts.