Kevin Van Giel is first soloist with the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Air Force and principal euphonium of Brass Band Willebroek. After his master of engineering he went to the LUCA School of Arts in Leuven to study euphonium with Michel Tilkin and Nick Ost, where he graduated in 2013 with great distinction. Afterwards he studied band conducting with Ivan Meylemans and Jan Van der Roost.
In 2011 he passed the recruitment auditions for the Royal bands of the Belgian defense and joined the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Air Force under the baton of commander Matty Cilissen. This excellent wind band often plays concerts in Belgium and abroad, participates in international tattoos en plays military parades and commemorations. In 2016 Kevin passed his exams for the chair of first euphonium soloist.
Besides the air force band, he is principal euphonium of Brass Band Willebroek. With this band he defended the Belgian colors at different European Brass Band Championships. In 2017 they became world champions in the concert division at the WMC in Kerkrade, The Netherlands. The band willingly collaborated to record Kevin’s first solo album, RISE. This is a duo solo CD, together with Lode Violet. Containing a lot of new pieces and arrangements, the CD was well-received and is played regularly on radio Klara. The CD ‘Acquaintance’ of the Cosy Brass Quartet, of which he is a member, is also played frequently on the classical radio station. Apart from his regular ensembles, Kevin often appears as guest soloist and freelance musician with various wind bands in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, and also in symphonic orchestras. He did productions with Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Flanders Symphony Orchestra and La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra.
Kevin is also a conductor of some fine amateur bands and also composes and arranges music for BVT Music.
