Jan Welmers
Born on 6 July 1937, Dutch composer and organist Jan Welmers studied initially with his father, the Dutch choirmaster, music teacher, organist, pianist and violinist Sijbe Welmers (1901-1958).
He was introduced to new music by Charles de Wolff and Johan van der Meer, and became known for his minimalist works and for forming a trio which improvised on various instruments, including electronic instruments.
He was organist of the Triumfatorkerk in Katwijk aan Zee (1964-74) and the regular player of the 1776 König organ in the Grote of Sint-Stevenskerk in Nijmegen (1974-2002).
In Bolsward, he won the 1966 National Organ Improvisation Competition. Later he won the Sweelinck Prize in 2005 for his compositions. Many of his organ composiions have been recorded.
Jan Welmers died on 7 March 2022, aged eighty-four.