Henrie Adams

Henrie Adams (June 12, 1954 - November 26, 2022) was a respected Dutch conductor known for his significant contributions to the world of symphonic wind band music. He played a pioneering role in this field and was recognized as an influential figure. Throughout his career, Adams collaborated with prestigious symphonic wind bands across Europe and worked alongside prominent composers in the international wind music landscape, such as Johan de Meij and Thomas Trachsel. He premiered, recorded, and promoted compositions that have since become fundamental pillars of the wind band symphonic repertoire.

Much of Adams' career was marked by his long-standing artistic relationship with the symphonic band "La Artística" from Buñol, Valencia, Spain. Over 30 years of fruitful collaboration, Adams and the ensemble achieved an impressive array of awards and global recognition, including the highest prize in the top category of the WMC (2001, Kerkrade). He was also the principal conductor of the Castellón Symphony Orchestra (2008-2022) and worked as a guest conductor with the Banda Municipal de Barcelona.

Adams' contribution to the international culture of wind symphony bands is also evident through his extensive discography, comprising more than 40 CD recordings that have left a lasting influence on the international music scene.

Biography
Born in Thorn, the Netherlands, he began his musical journey as an oboist before transitioning to conducting. He followed both major studies at Maastricht Conservatory, guided by mentors such as Antón Kersjes, Lucas Vis, and Pierre Kuijpers. He also received mentorship from notable figures like Pierre Devaux and the acclaimed Spanish conductor Enrique García Asensio.

Adams' career as a conductor began in 1985 when he assumed the position of principal conductor of the Chamber Orchestra "Sinfonietta" of Maastricht. Additionally, he conducted the Symphonic Band La Unión of Heythuysen and the Eendracht of Meyel. He was also invited to collaborate with international orchestras, including the Royal Symphonic Band of The Hague, the Symphonic Band of Les Guides in Brussels, the International Blazerwoche St. Moritz in Switzerland, the Youth Band of the Community of Castilla y León, the Orchestra of the Conservatory of Santiago de Compostela, the Portland Festival Orchestra in the United States, the Banda Municipal of Madrid, the Symphonic Band of A Coruña and Alicante, as well as the Symphonic Orchestras of Limburg, Extremadura, and Bilbao.

In 1989, Adams accepted the position of conductor of the Orchestra and Symphonic Band of La Artística of Buñol. For three decades, this role became the centerpiece of his career, resulting in a fruitful and enduring collaboration that garnered numerous awards - like the highest award in the highest category at the WMC in 2001-, honorable mentions, and a prolific discography. He also conducted world premieres of works for band, such as Teo Aparicio-Barberán's States of Mind, his second symphony for band, and Johan de Meij's Symphony No. 3 "Planet Earth", a choral symphony with women's choir, both 2007, and Marc van Delft's Celebration Symphony, Op. 140, in 2008. Thomas Trachsel dedicated his Symphonie No. 2 "von der Angst unserer Zeit" to Adams, who conducted the international premiere in April 2009.

Adams also played a crucial role in the formation of new ensembles and in the education of young musicians. As the principal conductor of the Young Orchestra of the Valencian Community from 1992 to 1999, he significantly contributed to the orchestra's foundation and the development of young talents. He also taught numerous courses in orchestra conducting in places like Madrid, Lalin, Tenerife, Buñol, Milan, Madeira, and Rotterdam.

From 2008 until his passing, Adams assumed the Principal Conductor position of the Castellón Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, he also took on the role of conductor of the Symphonic Band Santa Cecilia of Chelva.

In 2014, he was awarded the Amstel Music Award for his innovative work in the field of band music, which has led to numerous world premieres, radio broadcasts, and recordings invaluable to the band scene, both in Spain and the rest of the world.

In 2017, he was appointed Guest Conductor of the Barcelona Municipal Band. Adams was also frequently invited to serve as a juror in renowned competitions and auditions.

Adams passed away in November 2022 after a prolonged illness, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of wind symphonic music.

Awards and Recognitions

 * First Prize and Honorable Mention "Champion of the Netherlands" (1986, 1988)
 * First Prize in the Special Section "A" of the International Competition of Valencia (1990, 1993, 1995, 2012)
 * First Prize and "Ramón Mari Pino" Extraordinary Award at the National Competition of Requena (1993)
 * First Prize, Honorable Mention and Gold Baton at the International Music Competition Vila d'Altea (2000, 2009, 2018)
 * First Prize and Honorable Mention at the World Music Contest (W.M.C.) Kerkrade (1993)
 * First Prize and Honorable Mention, World Champion Flag, at the World Music Contest (W.M.C.) Kerkrade (2001)
 * Amstel Music Award (2014)
 * Bankia Orchestra Competition. S.M. La Artística de Buñol 1st Prize with Honorable Mention. Award for Best Conductor. (2018)
 * Catarroja Villa Competition. S.M. Santa Cecilia de Chelva. 1st Prize with Honorable Mention. (2018)
 * Gold Record awarded by the record company WWM for selling over 40,000 Banda music CDs.
 * Euterpe Award for the best recordings of Valencian Music for "La Passió de Crist" and "La Vall de la Murta."

Discography
For World Wind Music (WWM) with the Symphonic Band of "La Artística" de Buñol:


 * Pax et Bonum
 * The Queen Symphony
 * Planet Earth
 * Famous Musicals
 * Music from a Whole Century
 * La Vall de la Murta
 * Plaza Mayor
 * La Passiò de Crist
 * La Artística Live
 * Pasodobles
 * Valencian Pasodobles
 * Mozart Horn Concertos
 * Spanish Winds I
 * Spanish Winds II
 * Portrait of Miguel AsinsArbo
 * Famous Overtures
 * The Ring for Band
 * Autumn Leaves
 * Salute from Spain
 * Portrait of Amando Blanquer
 * Symphonies No. 1 and 2 by Johan de Meij
 * Symphonies No. 2, 3, and 4 by Alfred Reed
 * Zarzuelas

International:


 * Aulos Blasorchester 2010
 * The Immortals
 * A Night at the Opera
 * Translations
 * Symphony No. 10 by Dmitri Shostakovich

For Beriato Music:


 * In the Picture by Wouter Lenaerts
 * States of Mind
 * Tales and Legends

[Link to the complete CD catalog ]

Other recordings

 * Mozart's Requiem with the Castellón Symphony Orchestra [link ].
 * Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 with the Castellón Symphony Orchestra [link. ]
 * Zoltan Kodaly's Harry Janos Suite with the Castellón Symphony Orchestra [link. ]
 * Schubert's Symphony No. 5 with the Castellón Symphony Orchestra [link. ]
 * Arrullo Suite with the Saxophone Orchestra of Mallorca [link. ]
 * Maslanka's Traveler with the Symphonic Band of La Artística de Buñol [link. ]
 * Gustav Holst's The Planets with the Symphonic Band of La Artística de Buñol [link. ]
 * Robert Groslot's The Symposium with the Symphonic Band of La Artística de Buñol [link. ]
 * Strauss's Alpine Symphony with the Symphonic Band of La Artística de Buñol [link. ]