EDDY SNIJDERS, a great musician from Suriname

EDDY SNIJDERS was one of the greatest musicians from Suriname (Paramaribo 12 may 1923 until 19 january 1990), His full name by birth was Richel Edgar Snijders. He was a professional in the Surinam military band from 1942 to 1982 and was married with Olga Ooft. Eddy Snijders was the first Surinam composer who made in orchestral compositions and arrangements a connection between creole Surinam music and music from the other Americas including the Caribbean, and the music of Europe. Eddy Snijders played fthe flute and some other instruments. He was also an excellent music teacher and established a Youth orchestra that is still performing, more then 20 years after his death in 1990.. Eddy Snijders was also the orchestrator of the Surinam National Anthem. In Paramaribo where he lived there is a statue at Fort Zeelandia, made by the most famous sculptor and painter Erwin de Vries. Eddy's son Ronald Snijders has also become a well known musician: professional flutist, composer and ethnomusicologist. Eddy Snijders 90 th birthday is on may 12 of the year 2013.