Agrupación Artístico Musical de Tavernes Blanques (Valencia)

   Manuel Tomas Gil was born in Valencia in 1953 and began his musical studies at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Valencia, where he qualified as a piano and percussion teacher. He became percussionist in the municipal band of Castellon, and later a teacher in the Valencia municipal band and professor of percussion at the Conservatorio Superior in Valencia.

    As a director, he has led the symphony bands of Moncada and Alcacer. He also directs the band of Bonrepós and Mirambell.

    He is director of a percussion group at the Conservatorio Superior in Valencia and has played in chamber groups such as the Pro Música Instrumentalist Ensemble, Orquesta Sinfónica de Valencia, Orquesta Municipal de Valencia, and the Orquesta del Conservatorio de Valencia with directors including J. Ferriz, A. Alonso, J. Cervera, J. Navarro, J. Asensio, P.S. Torrella, and M. Galduf.

    He has won various prizes in international competitions including: first prize in the third section, first prize in the second section, first prize in the first section, and second prize in the special section of the Valencia International Music Band Contest. He has also won first prize in the special section of Leganes in Madrid.