Willem van Suijdam

Willem van Suijdam (born 1956 in the Netherlands) is a concert pianist and organist as well as a conductor.

He studied classical organ, conducting and piano at the Royal Conservatory in Zwolle (Netherlands) from 1974 to 1979, after that he studied jazz and theatre organ at the Royal Conservatories of Hilversum and Alkmaar (both Netherlands) between 1979 and 1981 and finally Willem van Suijdam studied Bach interpretation between 1981 and 1986 in Paris (France) under organist Jean Guillou.

Willem in concert.

Willem van Suijdam is also the principal founder of the Liberation Choir in Canada and served as their conductor for 15 years. The Liberation Choir was one of Canada's premier choirs, in its glory days it had over 200 members, performed dozens of sold out concerts in Europe and Canada as well as the United States, Willem directed 3 sold-out concerts in Hamilton Place with symphony orchestra, made TV specials for 100 Huntley Street and performed several concerts with the Guelph Symphony Orchestra, which Willem van Suijdam directed in combination with Simon Irving. The choir made 4 very successful European tours. In 1995 Willem had the honour to be chosen for the Arts Acclaim Award for the city of Brampton where he resided at the time.

Willem in concert with his Liberation Choir.

Organ Master Classes China Organ Competition 2014 By Willem Van Suijdam, Famous Netherlands Concert Organist

Willem Van Suijdam in China.

Willem van Suijdam was invited to be one of three judges together with Francios Espinasse, Professor Conservatoire de Lyon and Organist of the Palais de Versailles as well as the Organist of Eglise Saint-Severin in Paris, France and Wong Kim Yu, Organ Professor of University of Hong Kong, China. Willem was also chosen to teach Master Classes to the 12 finalists of the "2014 International Organ Competition" last Aug 14-17, happening every 2 years with 100 participants — in Shanghai, China.

After immigrating to Canada from the Netherlands in 1986, Willem founded his first organ store in 1989. He advises organ committees, sells pipe organs as well as digital organs and with his combination of business and knowing quality and value, he opened up a piano store called Pianohouse Burlington Inc. and owned it until 2009. It flourished under his skillful leadership. He recently moved to the Philippines where he also imports pipe organs and Content digital organs for Manila Pianos Inc.) Manila Pianos Inc. also specializes in the complete remanufacturing of Steinway & Sons, Bosendorfer, Bechstein and other fine pianos. Willem is the owner of www.pianos.ph and www.organs.ph, a business specializing in the import of quality pianos and organs in the Philippines.

Kubus

Willem was one of the founding members of the Kubus which is located in Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Manila Pianos Inc.

Willem conducting Manila Symphony Orchestra

Manila Pianos Inc. grand opening last Sept 6, 2014 was enormous success. There were 300 guests in attendance including Madame Elenita Binay, Madame Imelda Marcos, Former Gov Chavit Singson, Ms. Cory Quirino, Dr Ingrid Sala Santamaria, Manila Symphony Orchestra, PTGP members and others. Manila Pianos Inc sells grand and upright pianos as well as organs for churches and harpsichords. It has wide range of choices...the best sounding, the best looking and the best prepped pianos. Willem conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra that night.

Manila Pianos Inc. Opening with Dra. Binay, Imelda Marcos and Chavit Singson.

Willem Van Suijdam and Pianos.ph were awarded the prestigious “BID GOLD” award “International Arch of Europe” 2015 to recognize Willem’s contribution of Pianos.ph in terms of leadership, quality and excellence in the field of culture and arts. The BID award is one of five most converted awards in the world and also given to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2014.

Here are some of his videos on YouTube:

• Trumpet Voluntary - G. Young
• Prelude and Fugue in G - J.S. Bach
• Tuba Tune in D - C.S. Lang
• Prelude & Chorale: Psalm 84
• Jesu,Joy of Man’s Desiring
• Toccata from Suite Gothique
• Prelude, Variation, Chorale and Finale: Holy, Holy, Holy
• Once Upon a Time In The West
• Improvisation: Ode to Joy
• Improvisation: Psalm 105 & Psalm 24
• Prelude from Cantata #79
• Improvisation: Psalm 124
• Introduction and Trumpet Tune
• Meditation: Abide With Me
• Prelude in Classic Style - G. Young

If you want to hear Willem's own compositions at the organ, click here: YouTube

Willem at his Best!