Johan de Meij
Johannes Abraham de Meij was born on the 23rd of November 1953 in Voorburg. He began his formal musical education at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. There he studied trombone and conducting under dedicated teachers. Before focusing entirely on composition, he performed as a professional musician. De Meij played trombone and euphonium with major ensembles throughout the Netherlands. His early career established him as a skilled instrumentalist before he turned to writing music.
De Meij composed his first symphony between 1984 and 1988. This work became known as The Lord of the Rings symphony for wind ensemble. It received its first performance in 1988. Critics recognized the piece immediately when it won the Sudler Composition Award in 1989. Major orchestras have recorded the score since then. The London Symphony Orchestra captured the sound. The North Netherlands Orchestra also released an album featuring this music. The Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra joined the list of performers. The Amsterdam Wind Orchestra added their version to the collection.
He serves as principal guest conductor for the New York Wind Symphony. De Meij holds the same title with the Kyushu Wind Orchestra in Fukuoka Japan. He appears regularly as a guest conductor for the Simón Bolívar Youth Wind Orchestra. That group operates within the Venezuelan educational system called El Sistema. The orchestra is based in Caracas Venezuela. These roles require constant travel across continents. When not traveling, de Meij divides his time between Hudson Valley and Manhattan. His wife Dyan lives with him during these periods.
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Common questions
When was Johannes Abraham de Meij born and where?
Johannes Abraham de Meij was born on the 23rd of November 1953 in Voorburg. He began his formal musical education at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
What is the name of Johan de Meij first symphony and when did it premiere?
De Meij composed his first symphony between 1984 and 1988 which became known as The Lord of the Rings symphony for wind ensemble. It received its first performance in 1988.
Which award did Johan de Meij win for his symphony in 1989?
Critics recognized the piece immediately when it won the Sudler Composition Award in 1989. Major orchestras have recorded the score since then including the London Symphony Orchestra.
For which orchestra does Johan de Meij serve as principal guest conductor in New York?
He serves as principal guest conductor for the New York Wind Symphony. De Meij holds the same title with the Kyushu Wind Orchestra in Fukuoka Japan.
Where does Johan de Meij live when he is not traveling internationally?
When not traveling, de Meij divides his time between Hudson Valley and Manhattan. His wife Dyan lives with him during these periods.
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6 references cited across the entry
- 2bookOn the Path to Excellence: The Northshore Concert Band : Paynter, Buehlman, and BeyondWilliam S. Carson — Hal Leonard Corporation — October 2003
- 3webJohan de Meij6 October 2011
- 4webJohan De Meij
- 5webWorld Projects Faculty Member: Johan de MeijWorld Projects
- 6webJohan de Meij