The Singapore Symphony Orchestra has announced the passing of conductor Choo Hoey, the founding Music Director (1979-1996) and Conductor Emeritus of the orchestra. He died aged 90 on August 11 at his summer house in Greece with his wife Alexandra by his side.

Together with founding patron Dr Goh Keng Swee, Choo Hoey established the SSO in 1979. He gradually built up the orchestra from its modest beginnings, and developed an extensive repertoire ranging from the early baroque to contemporary masterpieces. He also led the orchestra on four successful European tours.

Born in Palembang in 1934, Choo moved to Singapore in 1946 during Indonesia’s struggle for independence from the Dutch. He took lessons under the violinist Goh Soon Tioe and, after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London, started his career conducting the Belgian National Orchestra in 1958.

After marrying in 1969, he settled down in Athens and went on to conduct some of the world’s leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1968 to 1977, Choo was the principal conductor of the Greek National Opera.

In 1978, he gave up his conducting career in Greece to set up Singapore’s first professional orchestra.