Vincent van den Bijlaard studied conducting at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam with Danny Oosterman. Also, he studied clarinet with Herman Braune and theory of music with Lourens Stuifbergen. In 1994 he earned the practice diploma Harmony and Brass Band Conducting. He subsequently earned the grand diploma Harmony and Brass Band Conducting (UM) and was honoured with a special mention for musicality in a concert with the Marinierskapel in 1998. Upon graduation he was given teaching appointments at both the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam.

As a composer and arranger his oeuvre covers, next to chamber music, a multitude of compositions and arrangements for symphony orchestra, brass ensemble, and choir. Several of his works have been released and recorded on CD. Orchestras and institutions such as Molenaar Edition, the Stichting Gilde Bunnik foundation, the Arnhems Interscholair Orkest, and the Nederlands Politie Orkest have commissioned pieces. The latter’s CD One for All consists exclusively of arrangements by Vincent van den Bijlaard and was sold as many as one hundred thousand times. He also publishes independently under the name of Limited Edition.

He is currently the permanent conductor for the Muziekvereniging Soli (Velsen), the Symfonisch Harmonieorkest Amsterdam (the former Shell Harmonie SHA), the Diemer Harmonie (Diemen), and the Koninklijke Biltse Harmonie (de Bilt). He is a teacher of general music theory, ear training, harmony/analysis, arranging, and instrumentation. As a guest teacher he has visited several countries including Hungary and the United States.