Welcome to my blog page. As a composer and conductor, I work with stories every day — stories of musicians, audiences, collaboration, and of music itself. In these blogs, I share what inspires me, moves me, and sparks reflection. Sometimes it’s about the creation of a new piece, sometimes about a moment in rehearsal, sometimes about the questions music invites us to ask.

Here you’ll find background stories, personal reflections, and glimpses behind the score. All written from the same belief: music goes beyond notes. It connects us, reveals something human, and often expresses what words alone cannot.

Feel free to scroll down and explore the latest blog posts. I hope you find something that resonates — a thought, a story, a moment of recognition.

Articles

  • Verissimus: the brass band work inspired by Marcus Aurelius

    Verissimus: the brass band work inspired by Marcus Aurelius

    Verissimus: the brass band work inspired by Marcus Aurelius Verissimus is a new brass band work that arose from a personal story and a deep fascination with Marcus Aurelius. When Allan Withington asked me to write something for Brass in Concert, within the Eurovision theme, I immediately felt that this piece should be more than…

  • New Album: The Unknown

    New Album: The Unknown

    New Album: The Unknown On May 16, my new album The Unknown was released. It features five of my recently composed works, in which I explore themes such as farewell, faith, exploration, and hope. I recorded the album with Soli Brass Leeuwarden, and Frank de Boer performed the solo As Night Falls. A New Role:…

  • The Stoic Conductor: Philosophy and the Art of Conducting

    The Stoic Conductor: Philosophy and the Art of Conducting

    The Stoic conductor integrating an age-old philosophy into the conductor’s work I’m interested in the idea of ​​the Stoic conductor. I started reading further, especially as a result of the number of podcasts I have made, and in particular the podcast with Kevin Houben. By reading various books and articles, I returned to one of…

  • Workshop conducting with Philip Harper

    Workshop conducting with Philip Harper

    Workshop conducting with Philip Harper Last weekend (February 24, 2024), eight conductors had a conducting workshop with conductor and composer Philip Harper. And I chose this workshop to also work on my conducting. And especially after the podcast I made with him, I wanted to see his working method in person. Conducting is listening Harper…