It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Wim Henderickx, composer, pedagogue, inspirer and teacher at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp (AP University College). Wim passed away on Sunday 18 December 2022 at the age of 60.
To his students, Wim was an inspiration in the purest sense. They got to know him in no time as an incredible musical genius with a warm and open personality. Wim always had time for good advice and a kind word. For his colleagues, too, he lovingly made time for an expert opinion, a good conversation or a warm word. He leaves a great void at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp.
Wim Henderickx was one of the leading composers of our time. His work enjoyed fame far beyond our borders. He wrote works for countless soloists, ensembles, opera houses, music theatre companies, orchestras, choirs and wind orchestras.
In May 2022, his latest opera 'The Convert' premiered at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. It became one of the most successful contemporary productions at the opera house in the past 20 years.
Wim had an impressive career. In addition to his success as a composer, he was associated with the Antwerp Conservatoire for many years. First as a Composition and Percussion student and later as a teacher and strongman of the Composition and Analysis departments.
Since 1996, he was resident composer at Muziektheater Transparant. In 2013, he became artist-in-residence at the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. He was the inspirer of the Summer School for young composers Soundmine at Musica Impulscentrum. He worked intensively with HERMESensemble. He taught composition at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam. Wim received several national and international awards and in 2015 he was appointed a member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium (KVAB) for Sciences and Arts.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife and children, whom he was invariably proud of. Those who would like to offer them some words of courage and sympathy can do so via the register of mourning on the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp website.