Ateneu Musical i d'Ensenyament Banda Primitiva de Llíria (Valencia)

This band, the heir of Llíria music since ancient times, was founded in 1819 by Franciscan monk Fray Antonio Albarracín Enguídanos and is undoubtedly the oldest civilian band in Spain.

It has performed in almost all Spanish cities as well as in several European and Asian countries and the United States. In addition to its regular conductors, it has been conducted by Sergiu Celibidache, Desirée Dondaine, Odón Alonso, Rafael Früebeck de Burgos, Jan Molenar, Luis Cobos, Manuel Galduf and Jan Cober.

Some of the most important events in the Centre's history include:

· First prize and Honorable Mention at Kerkrade International Music Festival (1962).

· First prize, Honorable Mention, Czechoslovakia Department of External Affairs Gold Trumpet and Town Hall Flag at Kerkrade International Music Festival (1966).

· Participation in New York's Columbus Day celebrations (1981).

· First prize and Honorable Mention at Valencia International Contest (1986, 1988 - the centenary of the first participation - and 1989, in this case awarded to the Youth Band).

· Participation in Pasadena Rose Tournament as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 500 anniversary of the Discovery of America (Los Angeles, 1992).

· Concerts in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai (2002).

· 2003 Friendship Trophy awarded by Santa Cecilia de Pozo Estrecho Band (Murcia).

· First prize, Honorable Mention and trophy at the 32nd Vila d'Altea International Music Band Contest (2003).

· Prize to the Best Music Society of 2004, awarded on 5th March 2005 by the RTVV Group.

In addition, its performances have reached wide audiences on their CDs and in their concerts and programmes on various Spanish and international television channels.

D. ROBERTO FORÉS ASENSI

He was born in Carlet, where he began his music studies. He completed his studies in Singing and Music Theory, Clarinet, Piano, Pedagogy, Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, Composition, Orchestration, Musicology, and Choir and Orchestra Conducting at Valencia Higher Conservatory of Music.

He has been the regular conductor of bands including the Lírica Band in Silla, the Armónica Band in Buñol, and Carlet Music Union. He has also acted as guest conductor with Valencia, Alicante, Barcelona and Madrid Municipal Bands.

The following are particularly worth mentioning among the many orchestras and choirs he has conducted: Malaga City Chamber Orchestra, Madrid Autonomous University Festival Orchestra, Montserrat Chamber Music International Festival Orchestra, Morella International Course Orchestra, Collegium Instrumentale, Shizuoka 7th International Youth Musicale Orchestra, Sopros dos Templarios National Orchestra (Portugal ), 7th "Estagio Nacional", Valladolid Orchestra, Sant Yago Choir in Valencia, the Choir of Valencia Higher Conservatory of Music, Navarro Reverter Singing Group and Valencia University Singing Group.

He took part in the first stone ceremony of the "Terra Mítica" theme park in Benidorm (Valencia), the opening ceremony of the "Hemisfèric" part of the "Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias" interactive museum in Valencia, and has worked with Valencia Higher Conservatory of Music Orchestra and University Singing Group and Michael Nyman, as well as in the "Event", "Fin de Milenio" and "Música y Fuego" events in Santiago de Compostela in 1999.

He has also conducted "The Magic Flute" with the Opera Orchestra and Workshop of Valencia Higher and Professional Conservatories of Music.

In 1992/93 he was the Orchestra Conducting Professor at Valencia Higher Conservatory of Music. Since 1987, he has been combining his work as Harmony teacher with his tasks as Composition Professor in that same Conservatory.