Jacob De Haan

Jacob De Haan biography

Jacob de Haan, born on March 28, 1959, in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, is one of the most popular and most played wind music composers of our time. In a long-time cooperation with his publisher, De Haske Publications, he has issued numerous compositions and arrangements for various line-ups. His compositions, mostly written on commission, are known worldwide – especially the works that are based on film-music-like combinations of styles. Oregon, his most performed composition, brought about his international breakthrough. His oeuvre for wind band further consists of compelling concert works with different grades of difficulty, short concertante works, didactic material for beginners, entertainment music, and marches. He also writes various arrangements of existing classical works and chorals. De Haan completed his studies, majoring in school music and organ, at the Music Academy Leeuwarden. Subsequently, he lectured in arranging at the same conservatory. In 2003 he received a music award for his entire oeuvre from the Frisian regional broadcasting company (Omrop Fryslân). Jacob de Haan regularly acts as a guest conductor with performances of his own works – not only in Europe, but also Australia and the USA – and as a jury member at international competitions. One of his guest conductings was at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle. Furthermore, he gives workshops at various conservatories such as the Bavarian Music Academy in .