On June 21, 2026, composer Joey Roukens will be honored with the Buma Classical Award during the Day of the Composer event at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. This accolade, presented by BumaStemra, recognizes composers who have made significant contributions to contemporary classical music.
Joey Roukens, born in Schiedam in 1982, is among the most performed Dutch composers of his generation. He studied composition under Klaas de Vries at Codarts University for the Arts and psychology at Leiden University. Roukens’ compositions are characterized by their directness, complexity, and layered textures, blending elements from both classical and non-classical traditions. His works have been performed by major Dutch orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and have gained international recognition. (en.wikipedia.org)
The Buma Classical Award is awarded based on criteria such as the frequency of performances and the resulting copyright revenues, highlighting the composer’s impact on the music scene. Roukens’ recent compositions, such as the violin concerto “Out of the Deep,” written for violinist Simone Lamsma, have been performed extensively over the past year. This piece will be featured during the closing concert of the Day of the Composer, which will be broadcast live on NPO Klassiek’s “Avondconcert” program.
The Day of the Composer is an annual event celebrating contemporary composers and their works. The 2026 edition will culminate in the presentation of the Buma Classical Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which this year will be bestowed upon composer Huba de Graaff for her contributions to the Dutch music landscape. The event serves as a platform to honor composers who have left a lasting imprint on contemporary classical music.
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention