EDUCATION | Koen Wilmaers

Since 1995, Carlo Willems and Koen Wilmaers have been working closely together at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. Today their percussion class is the most prominent in Belgium, it has around 20 students.

In addition to increasing the knowledge and skills of the students in their field, both teachers try to prepare their future alumni to find their own place in the professional music world. For example, the requirements set in an orchestra or chamber music association and the qualifications required as a teacher (DKO) are integrated in the training.

At the end of the Bachelor's degree (3 years), the students must master all main percussion instruments: Timpani, Snare Drum, Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Drums and Set-up. All these instruments are presented and evaluated annually at different show times and exams.

During the master's degree (2 years), students can further extend the studies of all instruments and start creating their own paths according to their personal professional goals. For example Orchestra play in general, Timpani, Melodic Percussion, Set-up, Contemporary programmes…

In order to maximize the way of studying, concert visits, master classes, CD listening and internships are on the agenda during the training. The student is always central during the course. During the bachelor's degree he follows (in addition to the established material) a personal trajectory in which he can explore his specific talents and develop his personal accents to the maximum.

Carlo and Koen ensure that the students do not have to enter the market unprepared.

During the training, extracurricular relationships are already realized, for example, orchestra playing, seminars, competitions, recitals, etc. Both teachers pass on the concert practice through active participation in concerts. They keep the students up-to-date on technical developments and they process the theoretical or practical instrument and repertoire-related professional literature.

Both teachers are open to all kinds of interpretations and techniques in order to inspire students to an open-minded attitude. The students will process the important advice and adopt the inquisitive attitude of the teachers.

The percussion practice field has undergone a spectacular evolution during the past 20 years. The professional literature and the new contemporary techniques changed radically. The challenge for the current student is to grow into a contemporary percussionist who is at home in all markets, with some specializations as an asset. In this way, he can play in a multifunctional way, from baroque orchestra to contemporary ensemble, from session musician to improviser, from soloist to an inspired teacher.

A few alumni of the previous years:

Bart Van Aken

Session-musician, teacher at Baarle-Hertog and Schoten

Nico Schoeters

Soloist Percussion with the Belgium National Orchestra

Peter Van Tichelen

Soloist Percussion with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège

Pieterjan Vranckx

Soloist Timpani Antwerp Symphonic Orchestra

Tom Raes

Percussionist with Night Of The Proms, conductor

Arne Lagatie