Sybrand Maertens (1997) was born in Leuven. At the age of eight, he began studying solfege and trombone at SLAC (City of Leuven Academy and Conservatory). His early musical development was defined by both various courses at this conservatory, including culture of music and theory of music, and non-academic activities, like participation in various ensembles, like orchestras, choirs, pop/rock bands, an operetta cast and occasional experiences in a jazz combo and a big band. This wide musical exposure made him familiar with many a musical style, which is clearly represented in his oeuvre. After two years of studying trombone, taught by Tim Van Medegael and Michel Tilkin, in the Lemmensinstituut (secondary school) he started composition at LUCA-School of Arts, where he got his bachelor’s degree. His main teachers were/are, Jan Van der Roost and Piet Swerts. In his last master’s year, in which he is currently studying, he started an additional minor course in choir conducting (taught by Kurt Bikkembergs), with which he became choir conductor of MusicAmi in Mortsel and the children’s choir of De kleine Johannes in Blanden.

Sybrand is primarily focused on, among other styles, vocal/choral music, music for brass (including hafabra), musical electronic applications and minimal music. He often uses and combines elements from different genres, like jazz, pop/rock and even religious elements, mostly from Catholicism and Judaism. Inherent to his interests, he very much enjoys interdisciplinary collaborations.

List of available scores