Karl Veen

The musician Karl Veen studied Saxophone at the music academies of Groningen and Utrecht.

In 1976 he graduated, as one of the first saxophone players of Holland, as “Performing Artist”.

He also studied flute with Simon Kooiman and Hafabra-directing with Peet van Bruggen, both in Groningen. He worked as head instructor Saxophone between 1976 and 1992 at the music academies of Leeuwarden, Enschede, and Groningen.

As a saxophone teacher he is giving lessons at the music school in Drachten since 1972.

Next to all of this Karl Veen is the leader and founder of a unique orchestra, a Saxophone orchestra, which already performs for more than 20 years, especially in the northern part of Holland. The orchestra was founded in 1986, and became independent in 2000.

Karl Veen likes to play big saxophones; he was the first in Holland to buy a Contrabass-saxophone. This new type has been recently developed and is called a Tubax, after the Tuba.
This Tubax is used in ensembles and as a solo-instrument.


The Saxophone orchestra

This orchestra, with it’s 13 members, is an ensemble in which all types of saxophones are represented. The biggest part of it’s members are far advanced students, the others are professional musicians.

The orchestra has 1 sopranino, 2 soprano, 3 alts, 3 tenors, 2 baritons, a bass-saxophone, and the Tubax. Sometimes one of the soprano saxophonists plays the soprillo, the smallest of the saxophone family.

The orchestra plays different types of music, like Bach but also Queen, Medieval but also Modern, music from all the parts of the world.

The repertoire is specially arranged by Karl Veen.

website: www.hetsaxofoonorkest.nl