Wil van der Beek was born in 1949 in Sittard (the Netherlands). He studied clarinet, conducting, and pedagogy. After completing his studies he worked as a teacher and deputy principal in his hometown. Since the age of 18, he has conducted many wind bands and has mentored young conductors during their first steps into the profession. He has received several awards from the German Music Association and the European CISM. He is mainly active in writing transcriptions and arrangements for symphonic wind bands. His arrangements have been performed by groups around the world.