Johan De Meij composer / arranger

Founder / Verlagsgründer der Amstel Music

Born November 23, 1953 in Voorburg, Holland, received his musical education at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague, where he studied band conducting and trombone. After his graduation Johan de Meij gained an international reputation as an arranger of the classical as well as the popular repertoire. His first composition for symphonic band, the Symphony no. 1 The Lord of the Rings, after Tolkien had its very successful first performance in Brussels (1988) and was awarded a first prize in the Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition 1989 in Chicago. In November 1990 the symphony was awarded a grant by the Dutch Composers Fund. For the International Festival in Uster (Switzerland, September 1989) he wrote the symphonic poem Loch Ness, and for fanfare band the work Pentagram, commissioned by the Frysk Fanfare Festival 1990. His third work for symphonic band is called Aquarium (opus 5), commissioned by the Dutch Composers Fund. De Meij's Symphony no. 2 The Big Apple (a New York Symphony) was composed between October 1991 and August 1993, and was commissioned and premiered by The United States Air Force Band (Washington D.C.). De Meij's second symphony was finalist in the 14th International Composition Competition 1993 in Corciano, Italy and received an honourable mention from the Jury. Within one year, three different CD-recordings of Symphony no. 2 The Big Apple have been released. His most recent works are T-Bone Concerto [for trombone solo and wind orchestra], the Continental Overture and the miniature suite Madurodam.

Johan de Meij is a versatile musician, regarding he is not only a composer/arranger but also participating as a trombone/euphonium player in several ensembles, such as the Amsterdam Wind Orchestra, Orkest De Volharding (contemporary music) and the Radio Chamber Orchestra. He played with the Dutch Brass Sextet for fourteen years: founded in 1978, this group became one of the most prestigious brass-ensembles in Europe. Johan de Meij is often invited as a guest conductor to perform his own works: he conducted in Japan, the U.S., Brazil, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Hungary.