Jan Van der Roost was born in Duffel, Belgium, in 1956. At a very young age he was introduced to the prominent names in the wind, fanfare and brass band repertoire and very soon Van der Roost felt the urge to put something on paper himself.

At the Lemmens Institute he received a thorough musical education and he received a triple laureate diploma for trombone, music history and music education. In 1979 he continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoires of Ghent and Antwerp, culminating in a diploma for composition.

At the moment he teaches at the Lemmens Institute and conducts the wind-band at this college. Besides being an arranger and composer, he conducts a mixed choir and the Midden Brabant brass band and is a much asked for adjudicator.

Van der Roost's works for wind band follow the American example paying a lot of attention to the woodwinds and percussion.

Van der Roost is a very versatile composer. Alongside pieces for wind band, his list of works include items for brass quintet, choir, piano, guitar, string orchestra, solo instruments and symphony orchestra.

Many of his compositions have been performed on radio and television or have been recorded on CD by renowned performers in many countries. Jan Van der Roost only composes commissioned works.