Dominique Vanhaegenberg composer / arranger

Dominique Vanhaegenberg is a famous trombone player but he's also well-known for his arrangements and compositions. His mischievous eyes attract and charm public as well as fellow musicians. His musical skills are highly appreciated and respected in Belgium and abroad.

Dominique caught the music bug at a young age when he accompanied his father, who played the euphonium, to the weekly rehearsals of the local fanfare. As a result, he enrolled at the Municipal Academy of Music and Word 'Peter Benoit' in Harelbeke at the age of 9. He began with a year of music theory, and from the second year, he added trombone and piano to his studies. Later, he also picked up the double bass, but he gave it up after a year. Three instruments at such a young age were a bit too much. At the age of 13, he headed to Ghent to attend the secondary art school, a combination of general and musical subjects. In his final year (6th grade), he achieved the 'First Prize in Solfeggio' with great distinction. He then went on to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Ghent, where he earned first prizes in trombone (under the guidance of Michel Tilkin), euphonium, chamber music, and the 'Advanced Diploma in Trombone' with great distinction. He also obtained the 'Pedagogical Diploma in Brass Instruments.'

From 1991, he served as the principal trombonist with the New Flemish Symphony Orchestra (currently the Symphony Orchestra of Flanders), a position he left in 2000 to become the principal trombonist and section leader with the Flemish Radio Orchestra (formerly BRTN Philharmonic Orchestra). He was also a regular member of André Rieu's orchestra (2009-2010) and Il Novecento (1992 to the present). He worked as a freelancer with various national and international orchestras and ensembles, including the Beethoven Academy, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, I Fiamminghi, La Monnaie (Theatre Royal de la Monnaie), De Filharmonie, Tabas & Co (Tintin Musical), Sacco & Vanzetti (Musical by Dirk Brossé), and more. Currently, he freelances as a trombonist with Music Hall, Studio 100, and the Symphony Orchestra of Flanders.

At present, he primarily focuses on arranging and creating adaptations for various ensembles.

Since 2001, Dominique Vanhaegenberg has been responsible for a significant part of the arrangements for the 'Night of the Proms' concerts, including arrangements for the full orchestra, the 'Electric Band,' choir, and backing vocals, as well as arrangements for artists such as The Jacksons, Anastacia, Seal, Naturally 7, Angie Stone, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Grace Jones, Boy George, Alison Moyet, John Miles, James Blunt, Zucchero, Kim Wilde, Mauranne, OMD, Golden Earring, John Fogerty, Roger Daltrey (The Who), Charleen Spiteri (Texas), Tony Henri, Kid Creole, Roby Lakatos, Midge Ure (Ultravox), Chimène Badi, Ozark Henry, Gunther Verspecht (Stash), Koen Buyse (Zornik), Sioen, Clouseau, Nathalia, Glennis Grace, Jeroen Vanderboom, and many others.

In 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, Dominique wrote arrangements for the 'Symphonique TV-Show' (France 2), featuring artists such as Céline Dion, Kim Wilde, Johnny Hallyday, Jimmy Sommerville, Julio Iglesias, Charles Aznavour, Lara Fabian, Pascal Obispo, Anastacia, Gipsy Kings, Garou, Laurent Voulzy, Danny Brillant, Amel Bent, Jenifer, Anggun, I Muvrini, and more.

In 2004, Dominique provided the entire show for "VRT 50 years" (Il Novecento & Band) featuring artists like Ozark Henry, Hooverphonic, Novastar, Stijn Meuris, Sioen, Peter Evrard, Nathalia, Clouseau, Nicole en Hugo, Spring, and more.

Since 2008, Dominique has created numerous arrangements for all Belgian Royal Military Music Bands (De Gidsen, Marine, and Air Force), including accompanying artists (Sofie, Brahim, Geena Lisa, etc.), various medleys (Queen on the Air, Marines medley, Airforce medley, Beatlemania, etc.), full segments of their concerts (James Bond music, 40 minutes), individual arrangements (e.g., Rum and Coca-Cola, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Santorini, A Little Smurfs-Fantasy, Dream a little Dream of me...), the national and international Tattoos of the Marine (2011, 2012), and more.

In 2008, he composed the opening theme for the "Stars Of Europe" TV show, which was broadcast worldwide.

Starting from 2009, Dominique arranged for the Royal Music Band "Johan Willem Friso" Netherlands, including accompanying artists (Glennis Grace, Rafaella, Edsilia Rombley, Four Classics, etc.), individual arrangements (Cry me a River, songs from L. Bernstein's "On The Town," etc.).

For the Belgian Eurosong entry in 2010 (Tom Dice - Me and my Guitar), he wrote the strings arrangements.

In 2011, Dominique wrote arrangements for Jelle Cleymans + harmonieorkest conducted by Dirk Decaluwé. In 2012, he wrote arrangements for "James Bond In Concert," organized by the Film Festival of Flanders (Ghent), featuring Belgian artists and the Brussels Symphonic orchestra conducted by Dirk Brossé.