Camiel Jansen, the new Composer Laureate of the Netherlands

Camiel Jansen has been appointed as the new Composer Laureate of the Netherlands. The announcement took place on December 21, 2025, during the celebration of ten years of Composer of the Netherlands at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. Jansen succeeds Anne-Maartje Lemereis and will serve as ambassador during the period 2026–2027.

For the love of composing

Camiel Jansen is a perfect fit for the title of Composer Laureate of the Netherlands, given the engaged nature of his previous projects, such as De Fundamenten (NTR ZaterdagMatinee, 2024), Het Toeslagenschandaal (Wonderfeel, 2022), MARS: (2021), and his opera about the housing market (De Toerist), which he is currently working on.

“From the very first moment, the committee was struck by the energy with which Jansen shares his love for composing. His combination of musical depth, social commitment, generous personality, imagination, and youthful enthusiasm makes him an ideal representative of Dutch composing.”

jury Composer Laureate of the Netherlands

Motto: ‘A sound for the divide’

Under the motto ‘A sound for the divide’, Camiel, as the Composer Laureate of the Netherlands, wants to show that the distance between people is often smaller than one might think. He is focusing on new compositions, educational projects, and collaborations both inside and outside the concert hall.

“It’s an incredible honor that I get to do this. I’m happy with this platform to spread my message because I firmly believe that the differences in the Netherlands are smaller than they seem. Even though it sometimes feels like our country is polarizing, at our core we are the same, and we often want the same things. I feel the urgency to show through music that we are closer to each other than we think. That’s why I want to organize projects that give voice to the divide, both in the concert hall and on the street. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Camiel Jansen, Composer Laureate of the Netherlands 2026-2027

Earlier Composer Laureate of the Netherlands

Camiel Jansen is the sixth Composers Laureate of the Netherlands, following Anne-Maartje Lemereis, Martin Fondse, Calliope Tsoupaki, Mayke Nas, and Willem Jeths. With his appointment, he is ushering in a new decade of the initiative. Read more about Composer Laureate of the Netherlands.

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