Wim van der Panne was born in Bodegraven.
At the age of 15 he started his studies at the Music School in Gouda, where - in addition to organ playing - he was taught piano and theoretical subjects.
He continued his studies under the guidance of Feike Asma (The Netherlands), Flor Peeters (Belgium), Arno Schönstedt (Germany) and Jean Langlais (France).
In addition to numerous radio broadcasts, he produced many recordings as director of various choirs and, as organ soloist, on some of the most famous organs in the Netherlands (Sint Janskerk in Gouda, Kathedrale Basiliek in Haarlem, Hervormde Kerk in Farmsum and Evangelisch Lutherse Kerk in The Hague).
After many concerts in The Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany and France, he debuted in 1966 in the U.S.A. In the years that followed, he made seven concert tours to America, where he performed in more than twenty States.
In 1972, he was awarded the bronze medal by the Societé Arts, Sciences et Lettres of Paris for his services as interpreter of French organ music. In 1976 he was awarded the silver medal.
In addition to his function as organist of the Oude Kerk in Voorburg, he was conductor of the Excelsior Choir in Rijswijk and the Laus Deo Choir in Gouda.