Luc Scholtes was born and raised in Kerkrade, in the southern part of the Netherlands, which is well-known for its wind band culture. After finishing college, he went to Law School at Maastricht University. In addition, he started studying trombone at the Conservatorium Maastricht with Fred Deitz, after which he continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln with Professor Ulrich Flad, Carsten Luz and Jan Böhme. Here, he obtained both his bachelor's and master's degree with distinction. A special mention must be made for Harry Ries, as he also played a very important role in Luc's development as a musician. Luc attended masterclasses with Ian Bousfield, Joseph Alessi, Branimir Slokar and Bart van Lier, amongst others. Orchestral experience was gained with the Nationaal Jeugdorkest (NJO), the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra (EUYWO) and the Orchestra Academy of deFilharmonie Antwerpen.

 

At the moment, Luc is a freelance trombone and euphonium player in professional symphony orchestras, military bands and chamber music ensembles, as well as in pop, musical and studio productions in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. He has worked at philharmonie zuidnederland, Het Balletorkest, Phion, Metropole Orkest, SInfonieorchester Aachen, Osnabrücker Symphonieorchester, Brussels Philharmonic, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Brass, amongst others. He played 'Bühnenmusik' at WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Gürzenich Orchester Köln and Beethoven Orchester Bonn. Since the summer of 2017, he works as a trombone player in the 'Bühnenmusik' at the Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele (Richard Wagner Festival). Also, he is involved in the historically informed performances of Wagner's 'Ring des Nibelungen' with the Dresdner Festspielorchester under the baton of Kent Nagano. Besides that, he performed in several editions of the Symphonica in Rosso concert series and was an orchestra member in the musical Evita.

 

Luc is a member of several professional ensembles. He is a founding member of the brass quintett MOSA Brass and plays the trombone and German tenorhorn at Blechlastig and Neuländer Wirtshausmusi. The latter ensemble was founded by Luc himself, fueled by his passion for the folk music from the Alps. Furthermore, he played with the band 10 Feet Up for almost ten years.

 

As far as conducting symphonic wind bands is concerned, Luc is being coached by Guido Swelsen and the internationally acclaimed conductor Jan Cober, and attended masterclasses by Ivan Meylemans and Philip Harper, amongst others. After conducting youth bands for a couple of years, Luc was appointed as conductor of Harmonie Excelsior Nijswiller in 2018, and got awarded the same position at Harmonie Sint Antonius Lomm in 2021 and at Harmonie Sint Martinus Vijlen in 2023. Besides that, Luc regularly works as a guest conductor with various symphonic wind bands.