Jef van Hoof

Jef van Hoof (8 May 1886 - 24 April 1959) was a Belgian composer and conductor.

Born in Antwerp, Van Hoof was a pupil of Paul Gilson and was highly influenced by the works of Peter Benoit. He composed chamber music, symphonic works, art songs, works for solo piano and organ and sacred music. He is particularly known for writing the famous Flemish fight song Groeninghe which uses a text by Guido Gezelle. In 1933 he founded the Vlaams Nationaal Zangfeest (Flemish National Song Festival) where he worked as a conductor for many years. He also conducted concerts associated with the Flemish Movement. He died in Idem in 1959 at the age of 72.