Johan H. Dokter

1968 -

 

From a young age, music has been an important part of my life. A native of The Netherlands, I began playing cornet at the age of six, and received my early vocal and brass musical education at The Salvation Army.

 

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of being a part of some of the finest musical groups in the world. As a cornetist, I served as principal of The Salvation Army Amsterdam Staff Band, co-principal of Brass Band Schoonhoven, and as repiano for Brass Band Rijnmond.

 

As a vocalist, I have enjoyed singing baritone/first bass as a member of The Salvation Army National Songsters (predecessor of the Amsterdam Staff Songsters), the a capella group – Timeless, the gospel group – Vocem, and the gospel ensemble Living Fire, which I was instrumental in creating. At this moment I am co-founder and conductor of Vocal Group Sacred Desire, a Christian vocal group.

 

As I developed as a musician, both through training at the conservatory in Groningen, The Netherlands, and as a participant in various musical groups, my interest in music composition also developed. In the early 1990's, I began writing for brass sextet, and later expanded my offerings to include vocal and brass ensembles.

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I have had many highlights in my musical career. I would like to mention two in particular. 

I was asked to write a cornet solo for Tom Hutchinson (principal Cory Band), commissioned by CU-Brass in 2019: Awake Thou That Sleepest. The same work had another succes in 2022 at the Dutch Open Brass Band Championships. Robert Ernest (principal Provinciale Brass Band Groningen) won the soloist prize at that contest with Awake Thou That Sleepest.

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I have two passions in my life, music and being able to convey a message through my compositions, and most importantly, since 2014, being a father to the most beautiful daughter in the world!

 

I hope you enjoy your time on this website and that you are inspired by the music!

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Johan H. Dokter