Derek Bing Han

Bam - I just wanted to send you my love and let you know that you're in my thoughts. I know it's been many years since you were my student in World History. But I'm thinking about you in this time. Much love - Dr. Z.

Derek's contributions to the Sarasota community through his gift of music will long be revered and appreciated. He is loved and missed by friends near and far, and I am grateful to have known him. My heart is with his children and grandchildren.

Besides being its Artistic Director, Derek was a very good friend of the Società dei Concerti of Trieste (Italy) and shared with us his vision, a vision perfectly coinciding with the features which characterized Trieste the most in the XIX century, when it was one of the most important ports of Europe: openness to different cultures and languages, wish to innovate, desire to recognize beauty even in less usual artistic and cultural expressions. He was, at a closer look, a true “Triestin”: the genes of East and West were perfectly blended in his personality, he was fluent in several languages (including our dialect!) he was at home in every city in the world (as long as there was something interesting to do ...) , he was an elegant businessman with extraordinary artistic skills, in the wake of those remarkable personalities who have marked the history of Trieste. The fact that Derek decided to cooperate with us had a precise meaning: Derek believed that Trieste had the potential to return to being one of the most significant centers of Central European culture and economy. That it was worth investing in the future of Trieste. And we are profoundly honoured for that. His knowledge of the international musical world was also the result of the experience he gained in Trieste, by spending time with those families (e.g.: Gulli-Agostini) who still professed the word of the Hausmusik in the second half of the 20th century. We believe that such love in cultivating the passion for chamber music was carried in the heart by Derek through his whole remarkable artistic career. The Board of the Società dei Concerti promised itself to continue to work in the spirit of innovation, curiosity, openness to the world as Derek did when he led us: as a token of our gratefulness towards Derek, the next Concerts Season, the ninetieth of our history, will be dedicated to and named after him. Alberto Pasino President of the Società dei Concerti  - Trieste

Derek has brought the beauty of this artistic talent and the joy of his personality to us as a founder of the international La Musica chamber music festival here at New College in Sarasota. The memory of his performance and spirit over more that thirty years will remain with our family as we listen to and participate in this extraordinary intimate musical collaborative endeavor. "The melody lingers on." Our condolences and love to his family at this trying time. Roberta Somach

the first time Derek and I met we were just over a video link, both jumping from one place of the world to another... and a video link brings me back to Derek today for the last time... Already at that first (virtual) encounter, Derek put so much of his energy, fairness, enthusiasm, then we forgot we were not physically aside immediately. And when we then met in person, a few weeks later in Trieste, one of the places he elected as "home" (at least spiritually) I confirmed the impression I met one of the most brilliant individual I ever met in my long wandering along humanity. An incredible musician, an efficient but pragmatic businessman, a powerful engine to make the world become better. Derek helped us a lot as the Artistic Director of Trieste Societa dei Concerti, we are proud we had him as our guiding star... and we will miss him tremendously. But we promise we will follow, in your honour, the path that Derek designed for us. Derek you will be with us forever. thank you for all you did for us, for the world and or the beauty of art!

The photo in my previous post is from the final magical La Musica concert in February of 2020 with Derek and his longtime friend and musical collaborator, the outstanding violist Daniel Avshalomov, before Covid-19 stopped the glorious music and robbed the world of Derek.

We offer our heartfelt sympathy to Derek's family and pray that the pain of loss will be mitigated by happier memories of our beloved Derek. Derek was the best and brightest, an amazing musician, person and friend who was one of the true joys of our lives. We all have so many wonderful memories of him and sharing his music at La Musica, which will live in our hearts and in recordings so we can cherish his gift forever. With loving thoughts, Robyn & Terry Sullivan, Kay Curtis & William Farmer

I remember so well the excitement that Derek shared at Out-of-Door Academy in helping to establish a Chinese Exchange Program with Beijing High School #4. He knew the exchange could be instrumental in forging global connections for students. It was Derek's vision and connections in China that launched the exchanges that resulted in several years of students from Beijing becoming ODA students for these unique intervals. It was Derek Han who worked in conjunction with our Chinese teacher, Shumin Yu, to bring a group of eager ODA kids to see China themselves. What an impact on those kids the experience had. This was all thanks to Derek's initiative to get the program started. He was a visionary, a true global citizen.

We met Derek through mutual friends and had the great good fortune to spend some time with him. He was an amazing gentleman, talented, kind, and intelligent. Our sincere condolences to his family for this terrible and sudden loss.

Sending deepest prayers and thoughts to Derek's family -- one of the very first friends I met at Juilliard - a sparkling, talented, kind and very generous person in every way. His loving spirit continues to live in every heart he has ever touched - and thankfully, he touched so many of us! Thoughts of him always make me smile! God bless and keep you all in God's light during this very difficult time. Fond aloha, Ginnie Lum