ASOCIACIÓN MUSICAL DE PARLA "HARMONÍA" (Madrid)

Director:
LEÓN ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ MARTÍNEZ

Band profile

The band was launched in 1984 by a musical couple, León Antonio Sánchez Martínez, and his wife Felisa Platero Revuelta, together with some 20 of their best students. After years of hardwork, this small group has gradually expanded and now includes a wide variety of metal, wood, chord and percussion instruments.
All of the early band members were hobby players and while some members abandoned the band, others continued playing as hobbyists, and some converted their interest into a profession. Some of these players have gone on to become teachers at conservatories in Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, and Puertollano, while others are playing in orchestras and chamber groups.
The band has a rich repertoire of styles including: pasodobles, zarzuelas, symphony music from the great classics, and film soundtracks. It has given performances throughout Spain, including musical band competitions in Castille-Leon, the Basque Country, Merida, Ciudad Real, the 'Fernando de Rojas' theatre in Toledo. Especially worthwile performances were given at the VIII Villa de Leganés competition, and the Uniao Arrentelense XI festival of philharmonic bands in Portugal.
The band plays an active role in all hometown celebrations - including New Year and Santa Cecilia.

Director profile

León Antonio Sánchez Martínez began his musical studies at the age of eight at school in Guadamur (Toledo). He studied musical theory and guitar with León María González Ayuso. At 15, he joined the Toledo infantry academy musical band and continued his studies of saxophone with band director Pedro Morales Muñoz.
Five years later he moved to Madrid and studied flute, harmony, and band management. He played saxophone and guitar with the Banda de Guadamur in Toledo for 15 years and saxophone with the Toledo infantry academy musical band for four years. He recorded several performances as a member of the 'Pekenikes' playing saxophone and flute.
He has written several compositions for orchestra and bands and supervised the installation of musical programs in gaming machines for Segasa-Sonic. He has been founder-director of the 'Harmonia' since 1984 and also directs the school band, as well as teaching wind instruments and musical theory.