We proudly congratulate our composition teacher Trevor Grahl on winning the 2025 Matthijs Vermeulen Award - the most important Dutch prize for contemporary music. He receives this prestigious award for his composition Śpiewnik, a work that according to the jury “bursts with original ideas, unexpected twists and a rich musical imagination.”
The jury of the Matthijs Vermeulen Award praises Trevor's exceptional craftsmanship and his ability to subtly and originally bring together personal history, cultural roots and musical innovation. “Nobody writes for organ like Grahl does,” according to the jury. According to the jury, Śpiewnik is a groundbreaking and deeply moving work that will resonate in the memory for a long time. The award ceremony will take place during the Closing Concert on Saturday 21 June in Museum Speelklok, Utrecht.
The Matthijs Vermeulen Award is presented by the 'Fonds Podiumkunsten' and is intended to recognize a special contribution to contemporary Dutch composition practice. The award is named after composer Matthijs Vermeulen, a key figure in Dutch music history. The jury of the Matthijs Vermeulen Prize 2025 consists of Cécile de Vos, Persis Bekkering, Emine Bostancı, Jurjen Hempel, Gośka Isphording and Nora Mulder.
Trevor Grahl has been affiliated with the Royal Conservatoire as a composition teacher since 2017. His work is performed and appreciated internationally, and with this prize he once again confirms his leading position in contemporary music life.
Congratulations, Trevor!