Willems, Carlo (B)

ADAMS PERCUSSION FESTIVAL - April 17, 1994
ADAMS PERCUSSION FESTIVAL - March 23, 1995
ADAMS PERCUSSION CLINIC - April 22, 2004
ADAMS PERCUSSION CLINIC - September 18, 2013

Carlo Willems was only eighteen when he was asked to work as a studio drummer at the 'Swanstudio's' in Huizingen. This resulted in numerous recordings in the light music genre. From 1980, he studied at the Lemmens Institute, where he earned advanced diplomas in percussion and chamber music, both with highest distinction. In 1985, he won the prestigious Tenuto competition.

Carlo Willems remained active in both classical and light music. He performed with the orchestra of Eric Melaerts for the Baccara Cup, the new music ensemble led by Robert Groslot, the Ouver-Tura project, the freelance orchestra of Spanish Television (TVE) in Tenerife, and from 1982 to 1984 as a percussionist in the National Orchestra of Belgium.

He has performed as a soloist with the VRO Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Flemish Symphony Orchestra, Collegium Instrumentale Brugense, and the Fedekam Wind Orchestra under Walter Boeykens. As a freelance musician, he is affiliated with the Philharmonie, Il Novecento, Prometheus Ensemble, and I Solisti del Vento. He is also a member of the Willy Claes Quartet.

Carlo contributed to various CDs, including The Night Of the Proms, John Tavener’s ‘The Last Sleep of the Virgin’ with I Fiamminghi conducted by Rudolf Werthen, Robert Groslot’s The Great Globe with Il Novecento, and many more. He recently released a solo CD titled "Carlo Willems and Friends".

He currently teaches at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven, the Conservatory of Antwerp, and the music academy of Tienen.