Apex Revived was composed for the 2024 reunion of the Haspengouws Jeugdorkest (HJO). Founded in 1983 by Paul Hendrix and Paul Préal, the HJO was a youth orchestra based in the Haspengouw region of Limburg, Belgium. Its goal was to offer young musicians a more challenging and ambitious repertoire. During the 1990s, the orchestra reached its peak, with as many as 130 musicions under the direction of conductor Ronny Ramaekers. Former members have nothing but warm memories of the HJO. Rehearsals, concert tours, and good repertoire defined the experience. Lifelong friendships were made and for some musicians the orchestra became a stepping stone towards a professional career. In Apex Revived, Wim Bex provides us a short yet demanding opening piece. The title itself – Apex meaning the highest culminating point, and revived meaning to restore to live – perfectly reflects the spirit of this reunion for both musicians and audience. Fasten your seatbelts, this will be one exhilirating ride!
Wim Bex (1977) is a Belgian bass trombonist and composer whose deep-rooted understanding of orchestral music and imaginative voice make his works a pleasure to perform and hear. Since the beginning of his musical journey in 2008, he has quickly gained recognition for its craftsmanship, expressiveness, and instrumental insight. As a professional bass trombonist, Wim has performed with every major symphony orchestra in Belgium, as well as with leading brass bands, big bands, and chamber ensembles. His performance experience directly informs his compositional style, resulting in music that is both idiomatic and artistically engaging. His debut composition, Vademecum for Bass Trombone, was an immediate success. Showcasing his intimate knowledge of the instrument and innate compositional talent, the work has been performed by numerous international trombonists and is now considered part of the standard repertoire. Building on this success, Wim has since written compelling solo pieces for trumpet, euphonium, bass tuba, and other instruments. A self-taught composer, Wim approaches each rehearsal and performance as a learning opportunity, honing his skills by listening deeply—his most trusted tools are his ears. His passion for music resonates through every piece he writes, offering performers and audiences alike a truly rewarding musical experience.