Jan Van der Roost

Jan Van der Roost is a Belgian composer, conductor and music educator, best known for his works for wind and brass ensembles. He studied at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven and continued his musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent and Antwerp, where he specialised in subjects including fugue, choral conducting and composition. In 1983, he became a lecturer in counterpoint and fugue at the Lemmens Institute, where he has also conducted the harmony orchestra since 1991. His eclectic musical language combines tonal writing with a wide range of influences and his works are characterised by contrast, variation and memorable melodies. His output spans wind and brass band music, orchestral works, chamber music, solo compositions and vocal music. Among his best-known brass band works are Excalibur, Stonehenge and Albion, inspired by the British Middle Ages and the legends of King Arthur.