Anne-Maartje Lemereis new Composer Laureate of the Netherlands

After being Composer Laureate of the Netherlands (Componist des Vaderlands) for two years, Martin Fondse passed the baton to Anne-Maartje Lemereis. This was announced on Thursday evening, December 21, in TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. She doesn’t just get that honour. According to the jury, Anne-Maartje has the power to build something from the bottom up with clear language and decisiveness and then lift it.

A lasting impression

The jury, consisting of Makira Mual, Guy van Hulst and Bert Palinckx, chaired by Adriana van Dooijeweert, faced a challenging task. The choice for the new Componist des Vaderlands is not something you make lightly. After some discussion, a shortlist was drawn up, after which the jury entered into discussions with the composers. They each shared their proposals and plans for the coming period. Due to the lasting impression that Anne-Maartje left, the choice fell on her. With her persuasiveness, strong communication skills and clear balance within herself, the jury believes that Anne-Maartje has what it takes to give a new impetus to balance in music education over the next two years. Her project Happy Birthday Composer is proof of this.

About Anne-Maartje Lemereis

Anne-Maartje wrote compositions from the age of four. It was already clear then that she would become a composer. After her piano and composition studies, she worked as a composer, pianist, teacher, and organizer. Her commissions included the mini-opera ‘Ping’ for Ensemble Vonk, ‘Lumen’ for Mallet Collective, ‘Aleksandra’, ‘MiniMahler’ & ‘La Folia / La Mento’ and ‘Viglid’ for Podium Witteman and the music-theatrical song cycle ‘ This is a Fairy Tale’ in co-production with KASKO and Stichting In de Knop.

Together with Remy Alexander, she provides composition education to children from the age of four through the In De Knop Foundation, of which she is also the founder. This foundation is committed to providing composition education to children and young people throughout the country and to supporting young makers in creating their own work.

In addition, through her own initiative, Het Lienderts Orkest provides arrangements in the Liendert district of Amersfoort where she grew up so that everyone can participate regardless of age, level or instrument. Haar has now grown into a strong cultural association in Amersfoort.

With such a career, it’s logical that the jury chose Anne-Maartje Lemereis to bear the title of Componist des Vaderlands.

“It is an honour to be able to wear this beautiful title for the next two years. I mainly want to focus on music education. I want to use this widely and make it available to as many people as possible. And within that education, I also want to focus on making. In particular, making it yourself and not reproducing other people’s productions, but making your own work.”

Anne-Maartje Lemereis

About Componist des Vaderlands

Every two years the jury selects a new Componist des Vaderlands. Anne-Maartje is the fifth in the row. She follows Willem Jeths, Mayke Nas, Callipe Tsoupaki and Martin Fondse. She will be heard and seen throughout the country. In interviews, for example, but also by collaborating with halls, ensembles, orchestras, and festivals. Why? To stand up for the interests of everyone involved in music life! Keep an eye on the Componist des Vaderlands website and social media for current performances.

Photo’s by Wouter Vellekoop

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