Adrian Tan, a home-grown music conductor, died on July 12 after suffering from cardiac arrest in his sleep.

He was 44.

Tan had graduated with honours in Theatre Studies from the National University of Singapore.

Tan later became the Music Director of the Singapore Wind Symphony and the Braddel Heights Symphony Orchestra in 2012.

He had led wind bands and orchestras at both community and professional levels.

According to The Straits Times, Tan leaves behind his mother, whom he lived with.

"Legacy will live on"

Singapore's Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh said in a Facebook post on July 14:

"Life is very unfair... Adrian, you left us too soon but your legacy will live on."

Koh recounted having lunch with Tan a few years ago, when Tan told him that music was not available when he studied in NUS.

Hence, Tan decided to study Theatre Studies due to its affinity with music.

After graduating from the National University of Singapore, Tan served in the Republic of Singapore Navy as a naval officer for a decade but he never gave up on his passion for music.

He later received an overseas scholarship from the  National Arts Council  and completed his Masters in Music Studies (Conducting) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Koh added that under Tan's baton, both Wind Symphony Orchestra and Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra reached new heights.

Tan is notably a strong advocate of the works of Singaporean composers.

"He always seemed very healthy"

Fellow conductor Adrian Chiang, whom Tan co-founded the Conductors Collegium Asia with in early 2021, expressed his shock in a Facebook post.

The Conductors Collegium Asia was founded as a platform to provide conducting workshops and professional training for aspiring conductors.

One of the workshops was supposed to take place over Zoom at 7:30pm on the night that Tan died.

When Tan did not turn up, Chiang wondered if he had fallen asleep or had an emergency:

"I was wondering if you had fallen asleep or had some other emergency, but nothing prepared me to see this devastating news coming into my phone this morning. Rest in peace my friend."

Speaking to The Straits Times, Chiang said that Tan "was always full of energy and a very enjoyable person to talk to. He always seemed very healthy so I was wondering what happened."

Other tributes

Other tributes that poured in include one from fellow musician Jeremy Monteiro who expressed his shock and said he is "still processing this news". He added that Tan will be missed.

Singapore Wind Symphony said in a Facebook post that Tan's passion and contributions to the local music scene will be remembered by all.Band Directors' Association of Singapore also thanked Tan for his contribution to the arts community.Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra expressed sadness for having lost a "visionary leader, generous mentor, and dear friend" and said that he will be fondly remembered.Singapore Symphony Orchestra invited members of the public to watch the "Conducting Strings" seminar held just last week.

It was described as one of the last videos of Tan in his element as he facilitated the discussion.

Those who wish to attend his funeral may refer to this Facebook post for more details.

Top photos via Adrian Tan/Facebook