Sudden death of US music director, 52

The Irish conductor Brendan Townsend died suddenly in Houston on Friday at the age of 52.

He was music director of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and assistant professor at Texas A&M International University since 2003.

The sad news was broken by university president Pablo Arenaz: ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of longtime faculty member Brendan Townsend. His artistry and teaching made a profound impact on TAMIU students and our community. His leadership and advocacy for the performing arts on and off campus helped elevate TAMIU’s music and performing arts program and our community’s quality of life. As music director and conductor of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, he embraced our border culture and eagerly explored new horizons in developing the LPO’s various concert seasons. His enthusiastic support of TAMIU and Our Laredo was unmatched, and we will miss his jovial presence on campus, in our classrooms, on stage and in our community.’