THIRD SECTION – Saturday 4th July Palau de la Música 10.30 h Compulsory piece: “Pequeña Suite para Banda” by Luis Serrano Alarcón Greaker Musikkorps (Noruega) Conductor: Terje Gravningsmyhr Pasodoble: “Amparito Roca” by Jaume Texidor Free choice: "Viking Spirit Suite” (1.- Two tunes from Ryfylke, 2.- Two tunes from Lofoten, 3.- Norwegian Dance) by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen Unión Musical de Torre Pacheco (Murcia) Conductor: Antonio García Gil Pasodoble: “Coplas Murcianas” by M. Massotti Littel Free choice: “Paris Sketches” (2.- Pigalle, 3.- Père Lachaise, 4.- Les Halles) by Martin Ellerby Sociedad Instructivo Musical “La Esmeralda” de Almassora (Castellón) Conductor: Víctor Alapont Estors Pasodoble: “Ariadna Hernández” by Salvador Chuliá Hernández Free choice: “La Torre de Hércules” by Ferrer Ferran Agrupación Artístico Musical “Santa Bárbara” de Piles (Valencia) Conductor: Samuel Pérez Ortega Pasodoble: “La Tata” by Saúl Gómez Soler Free choice: “Valhalla” by Francisco Zacarés Fort Palau de la Música 17.00 h Sociedad Unión Artístico Musical de Sollana (Valencia) Conductor: Juan Bautista Soria Medina Pasodoble: “La Cañada” by Rafael Talens Pelló Free choice: “Magallanes” by Ferrer Ferran Banda de Música “Isleña” de Isla Cristina (Huelva) Conductor: Francisco Andrés de la Poza Curiel Pasodoble: “Yaque Baron” by Francisco Andrés de la Poza Curiel Free choice: “Muralles” (1.- La Leyenda. 2.- El Poder. 3.- La Passió) by Juan Gonzalo Gómez Deval Banda de Música “Font d’en Segures” de Benassal (Castellón) Conductor: Sara García Pitarch Pasodoble: “Gloria al Pueblo” by Perfecto Artola Prats Free choice: “El Maestrazgo” (1.- Danza de las cuatro caras. 2.- Baile de Cerco. 3.- Canción de Trilla. 4.- Bolero y Saltillo) by Perfecto Artola Prats Unión Musical de Hondón de las Nieves (Alicante) Conductor: Emilio José Alpera Alted Pasodoble: “Cielo Andaluz” by Pascual Marquina Narro Free choice: “Jericho” (1.- Los años del Exilio, 2.- La Batalla de Jericho, 3.- Victoria, 4.- Celebración) by Bert Appermont Guest Band: VLAMO Symphonic Wind Band. (Bélgica) Conductor: Frank de Vuyst Programe: “Homenaje a la Tempranica” by Joaquín Rodrigo “La Utielana” by Luis Serrano Alarcón “El Golpe Fatal” by Dirk Brossé “Tanczi” by Jan van der Roost “Impromptu” by August de Boeck “Dolores Pedro” by Antonio Sánchez “Libertango” by Astor Piazzola, (arr. Lito Valle) “San Pelayo” by Victoriano Valencia

GreÅker Musikkorps (Noruega) HISTORY OF THE BAND Greåker Musikkorps is a Norwegian band based in the town of Sarpsborg to the east of the Oslo fjord. The band was first formed on 9 December 1908 with 13 musicians, all workers at the local paper mill, who engaged a professional conductor from a military band. At first the band had a variety of jobs: they played at dances, gave concerts, played in churches and workers’ union events. Except for a few years during World War II, the band has been active since its creation and is celebrating its centenary in 2008-2009. Over the years the number of musicians in the band has varied from the 13 original members to a maximum of 75. Today the band has about 40 members. In the early 1980s the band members built their own concert hall which is now the base for the band’s rehearsals. It is also an arts center which hosts concerts and other cultural events. Every year we give some traditional concerts: one example is our Christmas concert on the fourth Sunday of Advent, held in our local church. The 2008 edition was the thirty-seventh consecutive concert. Another tradition is our 16 May concert, held on the eve of our National Day. This is a concert that only features music by Norwegian composers. On the National Day itself the band performs as a marching band in the national celebrations. Our centenary season, from autumn 2008 to summer 2009, features some significant events. In November 2008 we gave our 100-year anniversary concert. This was the largest project of our centenary and included several soloists and a piece commissioned specifically for the anniversary, Resonance by Lars Thomas Holm. The national band championship was in March. The band had not participated in this championship for a long time, but re-entered two years ago in division five and won first prize. In 2008 we were awarded second place in division four. In 2009 we entered division three and won first prize. The last major event in our centenary season will be our participation in the CIBM in Valencia. The trip to Valencia and taking part in this respected contest will be a high point of the centenary for all our members. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Organizing Committee for inviting us to participate in this year’s contest. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR TERJE GRAVNINGSMYHR Terje Gravningsmyhr was born in 1958 in southeast Norway. He was trained as a horn player in the Royal Norwegian Navy Band from 1975. He studied with Knut Bergodd in the Norwegian Opera. He also studied with Professor Frøydis ree Weekre in the Norwegian Academy of Music. He has been a member of the Royal Norwegian Navy Band since 1981. Since 1981 he has played with most of the professional orchestras in Norway. He is the conductor of several youth and amateur bands. He teachers horn students. He has been the Commanding Officer of the Royal Norwegian Navy Band since 2008.

Unión Musical De Torre Pacheco (Murcia) HISTORY OF THE BAND The Torre Pacheco Music Association Band was officially launched on 13 October 2000 with a concert in the parish church. It is part of the Luis Pacheco Cultural Association and has its own music school which offers classes in all musical subjects. Despite the short period of time since its creation, this group has given a great number of performances, including their participation in the religious processions in Balsicas, Alumbres and Cartagena, where they have accompanied the most important fraternities such as that of the Virgin of Piety (the patron saint of Cartagena), Saint John, The Resurrected Christ, The Coronation of Thorns, Saint Veronica, and the fraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary of which they have been named an Honorary Member. Since their formation they have also accompanied the falla [a club whose activities throughout the year center on “Las Fallas”, the most important annual Valencian festival] of the central market area of Valencia, one of the oldest and most traditional of the city’s fallas. In addition, since 2006 they have also accompanied another of the most prestigious first section fallas, the “Barrace Espadán’ falla of the Malvarrosa beach area. They have been invited to take part in numerous festivals and other music events and have performed in various towns both in, and outside of their province, including participating in town twinning events in Valencia (L’Horta de San Marcelí) and Pontevedra (O Rosal). They took part in the centenary celebrations of the paso doble Suspiros de España [“Breaths of Spain’] in Cartagena together with the most prestigious Murcian bands. They also gave a concert in the Concert Hall and Congress Center in this region in 2002. Among the concerts they have given abroad, their 2002 performances in Austria (Bregenz and Innsbruck), where they were invited by the cities’ tourist offices, are worthy of particular note. In the summer of 2003 they also gave concerts in Stuttgart (Germany) and Avignon (France). Since 2002 they have organized the Torre Pacheco Music Association’s Bands’ Summit, which is attended every year by prestigious bands from within and outside of the province. In addition, they won second prize in their category in the II edition of the Regional Band Contest City of Cartagena in 2005 and recently, on 2 November 2008, they won first prize in the third section of the XVIII edition of the National Band Contest City of Murcia. The band is currently led by Mr. Antonio García Gil. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR ANTONIO GARCÍA GIL Antonio García Gil was born in San Fulgencio (Alicante). Encouraged by his uncle and grandfather, when he was 11 years old he began solfège lessons at the San Fulgencio Music Association under the instruction of the maestro Ventura Cartagena. In 1986 he joined the Association band, playing the saxhorn, and later became one of this Music Association’s first members of staff. He studied in the Almoradí Municipal Conservatory of Music and in the Óscar Esplá Superior Conservatory of Music in Alicante, where he received his advanced diploma with an honorary prize in his specialty of the saxhorn. He has studied the saxhorn with the teachers José Antonio Mira and Jesús Juan Oriola, and he has also participated in various advanced courses with numerous prestigious teachers such as Mel Culberson. He has collaborated in concerts, festivals and contests with various musical groups such as: the Santa Cecilia de Rojales Music Association, the Los Montesinos Music Association, the Guardamar Music Association, the Redován Music Association, the Agost Philharmonic Association and the Torrevejense Music Association, and he has been a member of the Almoradí Music Association since 1998. During his career as a musician he has worked with many renowned conductors such as Manuel Berná, Jaime Belda and José Vicente Díaz Alcaina. He has studied harmony, counterpoint and fugue with Joan Enric Canet, Monserrat Bellés and Manuel Berná. He has completed numerous courses in orchestra, choir and band conducting, including some with Francisco Cabrelles and Juan Espinosa, in addition to Norman Milanés, Manuel Silva and Enrique García Asensio. In 1991 he began teaching in the San Fulgencio Music Association’s Music School, becoming the conductor of the Association’s band towards the end of 1994. During his eleven years (1994-2005) as the principal conductor of the San Fulgencio Music Association Band he has taken part in various festivals, concerts and contests, winning the following awards: first prize; three second prizes and a third prize in the Provincial Contest for Bands from Alicante Province; third prize in the Contest for Bands from the Valencia Region; and second and third prize in the National Band Contest City of Murcia. With this band, in 2001/2002 he took part in the recording of two CDs published by the Rojales Town Hall that include works by Maestro Ventura. In January 2007 he became the director of the Torre Pacheco Music Association Band (Murcia). With this band he has recorded a CD and won first prize in the third section of the National Band Contest City of Murcia in 2008.

Unión Instructivo Musical “La Esmeralda” De Almassora (Castellón) HISTORY OF THE BAND The first formation of the Almassora Band existed prior to 1836. Around 1877 two rival groups existed in the town: they were known locally as “La Charanga” and “La Barrusca”. According to different sources, it was the merger of these two groups that created the “New Band” or “La Esmeralda” [“The Emerald”] in 1882. Frederic Agut i Manrique was the conductor of the band in the early twentieth century and under his leadership the band won some extremely prestigious awards (receiving prizes in contests in Burriana, Castellón and Valencia). The band’s next conductors were, in succession, Josep Martí i Gómez, Joaquim Beser i Solsona, and Amadeu Antonino i Pallarés (with whom the band won first prize in the contest in Castellón and represented the Province in a festival in Madrid). Later occupants of the podium were Miquel Arnau i Abad, Lluís Llorens i Albiol, Josep Bort i Ramon, Eduard Villa i Pont, Enric Agut i Català, Joaquim Mechó i Nebot and Salvador Llorens i Rambla. The Music Teaching Association “La Esmeralda” is dedicated to the practice, dissemination and advancement of music through promotion and teaching. It is currently chaired by Víctor Carmona. There are two groups in the Association: the first is the Symphony Band, which has been conducted by Víctor Alapont since July 2005. Today is has 58 members. Their performances in the last few years include: a concert in the Peñíscola Concert Hall and Congress Center; their participation in the XIV Son Severa Band Festival (Mallorca); and two concerts in Biancavilla (Italy) to celebrate the twinning of this town with Almassora. Prizes received in this time include: first prize with commendation in the XXX Castellón Provincial Contest in the Castellón Concert Hall and Congress Center, and first prize in the XXIX Regional Band Contest in Cheste. The other group is the Youth Band, founded in the early 1990s. Today it has 30 members and is conducted by Carlos Pascual Pérez. The Music Teaching Association [UIM, Unión Instructivo Musical] “La Esmeralda” is also responsible for the management and running of the Maestro Agut Manrique Music School, where two hundred students, taught by more than twenty teachers of different specialties, receive tailored theoretical and practical training, whether that be an introduction to music theory, or learning and improving their technique in any discipline (singing, harmony, composition, etc.) or instrument (string, wind or percussion). BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR VÍCTOR ALAPONT ESTORS Víctor Alapont was born in Benicàssim in 1973. He studied the horn, piano, harmony, counterpoint and fugue in the Conservatories in Castellón, Valencia and Barcelona. He began his professional career as a trumpet teacher in the Castellón Municipal Band. He also studied orchestra conducting with José María Cervera, Miguel Rodrigo and Enrique García Asensio. He has been the principal conductor of bands such as those of the Santa Cecilia de Chilches Music Association and the Vall d’Uixó Music Association Singing School, winning prestigious awards in different provincial and regional contests. He studied for his Masters in Orchestra Conducting with Jorma Panula, Jesús López Cobos, Arturo Tamayo and George Phelivanian, in which he received a commendation for artistic quality. He has directed various traditional operettas, leading the company of the Vall d’Uixó Singing School. Félix Nemirowsky (the Israel Philharmonic violin soloist), Sergei Teisla (first violin of the Spanish National Orchestra) and Pedro Iturralde have all performed under the direction of his baton. In November 2006 he was awarded a grant to complete an International Course in Orchestra Conducting with the Spanish National Youth Orchestra and he was selected to conduct the closing concert. In April 2007 he received a special Commendation in the Provincial Contest for Bands from Castellón for having won this contest on three consecutive occasions, each time competing against different groups. Recently he has completed a Masters in Esthetics and Musical Creativity at the University of Valencia. Since July 2005 he has been the principal conductor of the Symphony Band of the Almassora UIM, “La Esmeralda”.

Agrupación Artístico Musical “Santa Bárbara” De Piles (Valencia) HISTORY OF THE BAND The participation of the Artistic-Musical Group “Santa Bárbara” in the current edition of the International Band Contest City of Valencia is the culmination of the recent celebratory events to commemorate a historical milestone for the group: the twenty-fifth anniversary of their foundation. The history of this group from Piles began in 1983, in which, thanks to the efforts of a group of people from the town with musical interests who wanted Piles to have its own Band, the group was created under the direction of Agustín Martínez Caballero. Throughout its 25-year history, the Piles’ Band has consolidated its position on the music scene, especially in the Safor region (where it is based), but also in the whole of the Valencia Region and in the rest of Spain, by participating in different Contests in which they have won several awards, including the following: commendation in the International Contest City of Valencia, obtained in 1986 in the youth division; third prize in Valencia Regional Contest in 2000 in the third division; third prize in the Valencia Regional Contest in 2007 in the second division; third prize the International Contest City of Valencia, obtained in 2007 in the third division. The Artistic-Musical Group “Saint Barbara” is made up of approximately 50 musicians. The Group also has a School and a Youth Band for its youngest members. Since 1997 the Group’s conductor has been Samuel Pérez Ortega, a local of Guadassuar (Valencia), who also directs the Youth Band and the Music Group’s School. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR SAMUEL PÉREZ ORTEGA Samuel Pérez Ortega was born in Guadassuar, where he began his music studies in the local Musical Group “Saint Cecilia”. His went on to study in the Maestro Vert Conservatories in Carcaixent, the Superior Conservatories of Granada and Seville, and in the Joaquín Rodrigo Superior Conservatory in Valencia, where he gained an advanced diploma in clarinet teaching. Later he widened his studies both in his instrument of choice and other subjects (conducting, analysis, teaching, music theory, etc.) with prestigious teachers. In the sphere of performance he has given various concerts as a soloist and has formed part of various chamber music groups (especially clarinet quartets) all over Spain. In addition, he was the clarinet soloist in the Guadassuar Musical Group “Saint Cecilia’ for several years, during which time he won prizes in all contest categories, including in the honorary division of the International Band Contest City of Valencia. In his pedagogical career he has taught in the Conservatories of Linares and Cazorla (Jaén), Arcos de la Frontera (Cádiz), Castelló de la Plana, Ontinyent and Valencia. Currently he is the teacher of Music and Performance Arts for the Office of Education and Science of the Valencia Regional Government, a post he gained through public competition. In this role he teaches the specialties of clarinet and chamber music in the Maestro Vert Professional Conservatory of Music in Carcaixent where he is the Head of Department for this last subject. He has directed: the Guadassuar Band in concerts in the Valencia Palau de la Música; the Youth Band in the same venue in his role as the founding and principal conductor; and the Aldaia Music Group as a guest conductor. From 1997 to the present day he has been the director of the Piles-based Artistic-Musical Group “Saint Barbara” and its Music School, and he has conducted the Group in various concerts all over Spain. They have also entered several contests and have won various prizes including third prizes in the Valencia Province Contest in 2000 and 2007, and third prize in the Valencia International Band Contest in 2007.

Sociedad Unión Artístico Musical De Sollana (Valencia) HISTORY OF THE BAND The current musical group is a descendant of the first Lira Infantil band that was founded in 1902 under the patronage of the teacher Miguel López Marco and the direction of Hilario Clavijos. In 1904 the group took part in the Grand Music Festival of the Valencia July Fair. In 1909 they changed the name of the group to the Educational Musical Association. In 1928 the group split in two: the Fomento Musical group “La Llanterna” [the “Musical Promotion” group known as “The Lantern”] which would compete musically with the previous band; and the Instructivo Musical “El Ràmas” group [the “Musical Education” group, known as “The Branch”]. They continued in this way until the Civil War, when the two bands disappeared. After the war, the band became part of the “Education and Leisure” group with Dionisio Pedro Estarelles as their conductor. In 1946 the Sollana Musical Association was formed, under the direction of Ildefonso Esparza. This group dissolved three years later, and in 1949 the band once again became part of the “Education and Leisure” group. In the 1960s, and until the formation of the current association, the group was called the Lira Sollanense. It was the emergence in 1976 of the current Artistic-Musical Association that produced the musical revival and the foundation of the Music School and today’s headquarters. The first director was Juan Bautista Rovira Ferrando. In 1981 Eduardo Ventura Rodrigo took over the post, succeeded by Vicente Carot Gil (1986 to August 1988), who was in turn followed by José Luis Civera Domínguez. José Luis Massó Baldoví was director from 1990 to 1993, followed by Francisco José Valero Castells, until November 1996 when the current director, Juan Bautista Soria Medina, was appointed. In 2001 the “Suilana Music Teaching Center” was created, and the Association received the Silver Medal from the Town Hall to commemorate its twenty-fifth anniversary. In 2002 the orchestral school was launched and a summit of the bands of the Ribera Baja region was held to mark the seven hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the granting of the Town Charter. In 2004 the Music Association’s Theatre Group, “El Bombo”, was formed. In 2005/06 the Music School was reformed. In 2007 the Regional Council gave them the Medal of Cultural Merit. Today, the Music Teaching Center has 125 students and a youth music group made up of 25 pupils. The band has 50 member musicians and its President is Vicen Cañada Rubio. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR JUAN BAUTISTA SORIA MEDINA (Picassent, 1968). Juan Bautista Soria Media studied in the Picassent Artistic-Musical Association and in the Joaquín Rodrigo Superior Conservatory of Music in Valencia, where he completed his advanced diploma, specializing in the horn. His teachers for horn studies were Miguel Guerra Arévalo and José Llácer Cuenca. He has attended advanced courses with teachers such as Lluís Morató, José Rosell, Martin Hakelman, Daniel Bourgue, Meir Rimon, Wolfang Gaag, Eric Terwilliger, Adam Friedrich, and Ifor James. He has studied band and orchestra conducting with José Onofre Díez Monzó and has completed courses in technical guidance and agogics for band conducting with Pablo Sánchez Torrella. He has collaborated with RTVE [Spanish National Radio and Television] and with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. He has performed as a horn soloist with the Orchestra of the Calahorra Conservatory (Logroño), the Montserrat Musical Association Band, and the Orchestra of the Picassent Artistic-Musical Association. As a guest conductor, and while on courses, he has conducted the following groups in various concerts: the Silla Lyric, and the Symphony Band and Orchestra of the Artistic-Musical Association of Picassent. He has made arrangements for instrumental youth groups and has revised works for Valencian composers, including the Picassent anthem by Ernesto Pastor. He has been a teacher at the Picassent Artistic-Musical Association’s Music School since 1988. He is the Artistic Director and co-founder of the Music Camp, an activity for students of the Picassent and Sollana Music Associations’ music schools. Since 1996 he has been the principal conductor of the Symphony Band of the Sollana Artistic-Musical Association [SUAM, Sociedad Unión Artístico Musical]. In 1997 he led the band of the Sollana SUAM to the second prize in the I Festival-Music Contest organized by the Plaza la Cruz-los Ángeles de los poblados marítimos falla [in English, “the Falla of the maritime districts”, “The Cross-the Angels Square”. A falla is a club whose activities center on “Las Fallas”, the most important annual Valencian festival]. In 1997 he was the teacher, director and founder of the SUAM Youth Band. In 1998 he took part in the International Music Contest in Huesca with the SUAM Symphony Band. In 2000 he took over the direction of the Youth Band of the Picassent Artistic-Musical Association. In 2002 he founded the Chamber Orchestra of the Sollana SUAM, of which he is still the director. He continues to work as a teacher of the horn, musical theory and as director of the Youth Band of the Picassent Artistic-Musical Association. He is also the director of the “Suilana” Musical Education Center of the Sollana SUAM.

Banda de Música “Isleña” de Isla Cristina (Huelva) HISTORY OF THE BAND The Isleña Band of Christina Island is a product of the District Music Academy. It became active in 1985 and gave its first concert on 29 July 1987. It is the fourth band to be formed on Christina Island since its foundation in 1755. The Band has performed all over Andalucia: in Huelva, Ayamonte, Lepe, Christina Island, Almonte, Valverde del Camino, Rociana, Dos Hermanas (Seville), San Roque (Cádiz), Alcalá del Valle (Cádiz), and in Portugal (Évora, Villa Real de San An­tonio, Loulé, Castro Marín, etc.). Some of their more exceptional events include: the premiere of the Oda de las Américas by Vicente Sanchis, in the presence of HRH the Infanta Cristina; taking part in the Valencia Region procession in the Expo‘92; live performances for Canal Sur Television on various occa­sions for Andalucia Day; attending different national and international festivals in Barcelona, Valencia and Portugal; and in 1998, winning the first prize in the first division at the I Andalucian Band Contest in Ronda. Mr. Carmelo Vicente Ballester Sanz was the director of the Band from its foundation until November 1998, and his successor is Mr. Francisco Andrés de la Poza Curiel, who continues as the current director. In November 2006 the Band gave a highly successful con­cert in the Winterthur Concert Hall in Barcelona. Today the company is made up of the Isleña Band, which has 65 members, the Music School, and the Musical Garden for children under the age of 7. Many musicians, who today play professionally, started their musical careers with the company. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR FRANCISCO ANDRÉS DE LA POZA CURIEL Francisco de la Poza was born in Valencia and began his music studies in the Paterna Music Center Band with José Marques and Miguel Llopis. He studied the trombone and saxhorn with Rafael Tortajada, Juan José Miñana and Daniel Alberola in the Superior Conservatories of Valencia and Seville. He has attended courses with M. Andre, M. Becquet, B. Slokar, E. Crespo, M. Rivera, S. Mead, Childs Brothers, I. Bonet, Raúl García, F. Rosario, German Brass, etc. He completed his advanced studies with David Llácer. He holds advanced diplomas in the tuba and trombone, receiving a commendation in his end-of-trombone-course award. He has collaborated with the Valencia Orchestra, the Seville Royal Symphony Orchestra, the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra (South Korea), the Onubense Symphony Ensemble, the Huelva Big Band, etc., completing tours of Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. He has been a member of the Huelva Municipal Symphony Band since 1993, and since 2007 he has been the trombone soloist for the Huelva Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the trombone quartet “4Mbones”, and of the Valencia Tuba Band. He has been the director of the Music School and the Isleña Band of Christina Island since 1998. Moreover, he is the composer of various works, such as Josefa Curiel, Yaque Barón, Esta Plaza no da Bastos, Himno a la Punta del Caimán, etc. In 2005 he performed the saxhorn solos in Strauss’ Don Quijote with the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra (South Korea), giving two concerts in the Daejeon Concert Hall and the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, and in 2008 with the Valencia Orchestra in the Valencia Palau de la Música. He has taught advanced courses in trombone and tuba performance in the Valverde del Camino Conservatory 2009, organized by the Andalucian Council, and has also taught in various trombone seminars.

Banda de Música “Font d’en Segures” de Benassal (Castellón) HISTORY OF THE BAND The Benassal Band “Font d’en Segures” was founded in 1892. Initially it was directed by Absalom Celades and Jaime Sanjuán. In 1930, under the direction of Ricard Vives, the band took part in the Castellón Band Contest and won first prize in the first division. This was when Maestro Perfecto Artola dedicated the paso doble Gloria al Pueblo to the common people. In 1943 they once again participated in the Castellón contest, winning third prize and the paso doble performance award. Following some difficult years, Antonio Bosque became band leader, followed by José Moliner, who ensured the band’s survival by training new musicians. He was succeeded by Ángel Beltrán, who promoted the solfège academy and successfully increased the band’s number to forty musicians, who were occasionally directed by Maestro Artola, including during the Himne a Benassal revival in the 1980 tribute concert. From 1987 to 2004 the band was directed by Tomás Lorenzo, who encouraged concert performances and created two regular annual concerts: the August festivals concert (the Perfecto Artola Tribute Concert) and, at a later date, the Christmas Concert. Sara García Pitarch has led the group since January 2005. Under her direction the band participated in the Peñíscola Auditorium Concert Cycle, where they performed the Symphonic Poem Fadrell by Maestro Artola. They also took part in the fourth division of the XXVII Provincial Band Contest in the Segorbe Auditorium. In 2006 they won second prize in the third division of the XXIX Castellón Provincial Band Competition. Their recordings include the 2007 CD of bullfight paso dobles, Bous al Pati, and Benassal, arrels, a compilation of music most representative of the townspeople, such as the traditional Ball Pla, recorded in 2008. The Benassal Band “Font d’en Segures” has been a member of the Valencian Region Federation of Music Societies since 1995. Today it is made up of forty musicians and eighty-five members. The music school has fifty students. The quality of teaching has improved in the last few years with the increase in the number of qualified teachers. Now the school has a total of seven teachers who specialize in the trumpet, trombone, percussion, clarinet, saxophone, flute, and music theory. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR SARA GARCÍA PITARCH Sara García was born in Benassal in 1977. She started studying music when she was 7 years old in the school of the Benassal Band “Font d’en Segures”, joining the group two years later. She has been a member for eighteen years: seven as a music theory and flute teacher and one as conductor of the youth band. She gained her flute teaching qualifications in the Castellón Mestre Tárrega Professional Conservatory. She also has a degree in Psychology from Jaume I University where she is currently studying for her doctorate. Moreover, she has gained a secondary education teacher post through public examination. She has also completed various advanced courses, taught by renowned professionals. She has collaborated with the Mestre Tárrega Professional Conservatory Orchestra and is a member of the Vilafranca Musical Group and the Jaume I Plectrum Orchestra. She has been director of the Benassal Band “Font d’en Segures” since 2005.

Unión Musical de Hondón de las Nieves (Alicante) HISTORY OF THE BAND Their first recorded activities were in 1880, the date of their formation under the direction of Señor Sacramento. With all of their conductors they have had a brilliant performance history, with collaborations that have benefited and helped to improve the entire group. They have played all over Spain with a particular highlight being their 1928 performance in Alicante during the beginning of the bonfire festival at Calle Alfonso El Sabio. In 1944 they gave a brilliant performance in Calle Sueca-Puerto Rico in Valencia during the Fallas festival, and another during the Paso Doble Competition at the Bullring in Valencia. In 1982 they won first prize as best band in the Murcia contest. In 1993 they won third prize in division three of the XXII provincial competition in Pego. In 1995 they won first prize in the Finestrat XXIV CPBM. In 2008 they were awarded first prize in the XXXVII provincial competition in Onil. In recognition of their 125 years of activity they have been awarded the gold medal of the Federation of Music Societies. Their music school for adults has more than 60 students. They have performed at all of the “als pobles” Musical Concerts organized by the Alicante Provincial Government. The current conductor is Emilio José Alpera Alted. In 1900 it was Antonio Pujalte, who in 1908 was replaced by Arturo Cañizares who remained as conductor until Manuel Pérez Mas, “el mestre” took over the position in 1948. The Association Band was particularly successful during this period. Antonio Pastor Boix took over in 1948 until he was replaced in 1950 by Justo Iñesta Pérez, who conducted until 1963, the year that for social and economic reasons, the Music Association Band stopped performing. The old musicians got together again in 1978, and ever since then the Music Association Band has gone from strength to strength. On 30 March 1980, Palm Sunday, they held their first performance with Antonio Pastor, conductor until April 1983, who was eventually replaced by Enrique Pastor Ruiz. The baton was later passed on to Rafael Asensi Reus. In 1984 Severino Miralles Bellot was invited to give a concert. In this same year Antonio Esteve Varo was the conductor. Enrique Pastor Ruiz made a return as conductor in 1987, and on 1 July 1991, Ramón Jover Amorós was invited to take over the position, with Juana M.ª Abad Chaves accepting the post in September and Juan Pastor Vicedo, sub-director of the Cartagena Marine Infantry Band, in November. In 2001, he left the Music Association for health reasons, and was replaced by Emilio Alpera Alted, the current conductor. In 1995 they won first prize in division three of the XXIV Alicante Provincial Band Competition, held in Finestrat. They have taken part in numerous musical festivals throughout the region: in Novelda, Pinoso, Algueña, Aspe, la Romana, Elda and Petrer. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR EMILIO JOSÉ ALPERA ALTED A native of Hondón de las Nieves (Alicante), at the age of six he began studying solfège and the trumpet at the Music Association under Enrique Pastor and Severino Miralles. He continued his studies at the Óscar Esplá Superior Conservatory in Alicante under Vicente Campos, José Faus, and Vicente Casany, finishing his studies by gaining a higher diploma in the trumpet under the instruction of José Javier Pastor. He studied counterpoint and fugue under Esmeragdo Iñesta, Montserrat Bellés, José V. Asensi and Joan Enric Canet, and advanced courses with José Ortí and Eric Aubier. He has collaborated with the Alicante Municipal Band, and studied piano in the Ruperto Chapí Conservatory in Villena under Antonia Antón, gaining elementary grade before continuing onto intermediate grade under José Fernando Sirera. He has studied band, orchestra and chamber music conducting with the conductors Jaime Belda, Bernardo Adam Ferrero, Jan Cober, Henrie Adams, José Rafael Pascual Vilaplana, Alex Schillings and Enrique García Asensio. He studied band conducting in the Vall d’Albaida Regional School, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Sport, attending the classes of José Rafael Pascual Vilaplana, José Vicente Asensi and Ramón García Soler, gaining a diploma in band conducting. He has taught solfège and brass at the Hondón de las Nieves Music Association from 1994 to 2002, trumpet at the La Romana Music School from 2000 to 2006, and sub-directed the Hondón de las Nieves Music Association from 1994 to 2001. He currently teaches trumpet at the Hondón de las Nieves Music Association Music School, as well as at the Biar music school, where he has been since 1997, and teaches music at secondary level at the IES in La Mola de Novelda. In 2008 the Hondón de las Nieves Music Association presented Emilio José Alpera Alted with their pin de plata [Silver Brooch] for 25 years of service as a musician in the band. As a conductor he has won the first prize in the Provincial Competition in Onil. Currently he is studying orchestra conducting under Miguel Rodrigo at the “Allegro” Center of Music in Valencia, which is recognized by the Royal Board in London.

Vlamo Symphonic Wind Band (Bélgica) HISTORY OF THE BAND The Vlamo Symphonic Wind Band is a project orchestra, consisting of 60 musicians who are all members of Vlamo, the Flemish Association of Music Bands and Musicians. Vlamo started its activities in 2002 as a result of the merger of the five Flemish music associations, thanks to a revision of legislation by the Flemish government to end ideological differences between federations and to promote a more professional way of supporting amateur music. Vlamo offers artistic and technical support to its members by organising educational courses, camps and competitions, providing access to sheet music and recordings and by generally improving the image and quality of amateur music. Community music bands are very popular in Flanders, going back to traditions started in the late nineteenth century. There is scarcely a municipality that does not have at least one – and often two or three. In fact, there are 308 municipalities in Flanders, yet Vlamo has 1,180 bands, with more than 69,000 members. These bands are very different and varied: wind bands, marching bands, pipe bands, symphony orchestras, guitar ensembles, accordion orchestras, show bands, drum bands and brass bands. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR FRANKDE VUYST Born in Zele, Flanders, he began his musical training in Lokeren Academy, then went on to continue his musical studies at the Superior Conservatories in Gante, Maastricht and Tilburg, gaining qualifications in musical theory, pedagogy, saxophone, and professional music band conducting. He has also studied as an orchestra conductor in Vienna under Richard Edlinger. As a guest conductor he has appeared in Belgium, Holland, the United States, Argentina, Columbia, South Korea and Portugal. In Spain he has headed the Cullera Musical Society Symphonic Band, the Musical Union, Ondara, and the Musical Union in Utielana. He is currently the principal director of the Buñol Music Teaching Center “La Armónica” and of the Artistic Society in Denia, and he is the artistic director of the symphony band of the Medellín Music Schools Network in Columbia. He collaborates with the Piles publishing company, and was awarded the Golden Baton at the International Competition Vila d’Altea after winning the competition three times. With the Cullera Music Society Band he has won the following awards: in 1997, first prize and winner of the XXVI International Competition Vila d’Altea; in 1998, first prize with commendation in the CIBM City of Valencia (honorary division); in 1999, first prize in the International Competition Flicorno d’Oro in Riva del Garda, Italy; in 2001, first prize in the CIBM City of Valencia (honorary division). With the Ondara Music Association Band he won first prize and was overall winner at the Valencian Region band competition in Cheste (division three) in 2001. With the Utilelana Music Association Band he has won the following prizes: in 2004, second prize in the XXXVI International Competition Vila d’Altea; in 2006, second prize in the CIBM City of Valencia (honorary division); and in 2006, first prize and winner of the City of Minglanilla Band Competition. With the Denia Artistic Society he won first prize with commendation in the XXXIV International Competition Vila d’Altea in 2005. With the Buñol Music Teaching Center Band “La Armónica” in 2007 he won first prize with commendation in the International Competition of Torrevieja and first prize with commendation in the XXXVI International Competition Vila d’Altea, and in 2008 second prize in the CIBM City of Valencia (honorary division). He has recorded the following CDs: in 2000, The Age of Aquarius (Cullera Musical Society); in 2001, Wait of the World (Cullera Musical Society); in 2002, Rafael Talens Monographic (Cullera Musical Society); Bernardo Adam Ferrero Monographic (Cullera Musical Society); in 2004, El Pas-doble (Denia Artistic Society); in 2006, Concertango (Utiel Music Association), and Fantasía Española (Llíria Music Association).

THIRD SECTION

GreÅker Musikkorps

Unión Musical De Torre Pacheco

Unión Instructivo Musical “La Esmeralda” De Almassora

Agrupación Artístico Musical “Santa Bárbara” De Piles

Sociedad Unión Artístico Musical De Sollana

Banda de Música “Isleña” de Isla Cristina

Banda de Música “Font d’en Segures” de Benassal

Unión Musical de Hondón de las Nieves

Vlamo Symphonic Wind Band