Matthijs van Driel

He was captivated by the sound and rhythm of drums as a child. He remembers well the thrill he felt when a drum band came marching down his street. From that moment on he wanted only one thing: to be a part of it. At the age of eight he received his first lessons and played in the drum band and wind band of the local music association. As a high school student he played in national ensembles and orchestras such as the National Youth Percussion Ensemble and the National Youth Harmony Orchestra.

While studying at the conservatories of Amsterdam and Arnhem, he participated in several tours with the National Youth Orchestra, playing timpani and percussion. He also had the opportunity to gain experience with the Radio Kamer Filharmonie, Het Balletorkest, Orkest van het Oosten, Het Gelders Orkest and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to playing, he also has an interest in composing, which he further developed by taking composition as a minor. He has composed for a variety of compositions, but mainly commissioned by percussion ensembles at a high amateur level. His music is frequently performed at concerts and competitions, including the World Music Competition in Kerkrade.

Since completing his studies in 2009, in addition to his job as percussion leader with our orchestras, he has been working as a freelancer with various orchestras and ensembles in the Netherlands and Germany.