Richenel Edgar Snijders, commonly known as Eddy Snijders (12 May 1923 — 19 January 1990) was a Surinamese composer, conductor, and flute player. He is considered as an innovator of Surinamese music, since he incorporated local traditions, including kaseko, to symphonic music.[1] [2] He made the arrangement of the Surinamese national anthem.[3]
Snijders was born in Paramaribo. His father was a musician, and several of his brothers became musicians, but he did not get formal musical education.[1] He became a professional musician with the Military Chapel of Suriname and later also its director.[3] Snijders also organized a youth orchestra where many Surinamese musicians started their career.[4]
In 1947, Snijders married Olga Ooft. The family had nine children, one of whom is the jazz musician Ronald Snijders.[1] [3]