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| Rita Barberá Nolla Mayor of Valencia |
RITA BARBERÁ NOLLAI would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to all the bands taking part in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia", an unmistakable hallmark of this region's identity and a faithful reflection of its deeply-rooted musical traditions. The International Wind Band Contest, which carries the name of the city, takes place when Valencia is in a festive mood, ready to celebrate its traditional July Fair. The capital of the Valencia Region becomes the world capital of a genre of music which is part of our being, our traditions and culture; it can be found in every corner of Valencia: every town, whether large or small, has at least one wind band which acts as a cultural and social focal point. From 17 to 20 July, the Palau de la Música will host the different divisions of the Contest, which once against will feature a varied and representative sample of the best wind bands from Valencia, Alicante and Castellón, as well as from other parts of Spain and Europe. Before the Contest begins, on 14, 15 and 16 July, and as part of the broad and diverse program offered by the July Fair, Colon Market will be the beautiful backdrop for three unmissable concerts: one by the Symphonic Band of the Casa de la Comunitat Valenciana in Navarra, a clear example of how we have exported our excellent musicians to nurture orchestras and bands all over Spain; the Dutch Band, Studenten Harmonie Orkest Twente; and the Wind Band of the Spanish Red Cross in Valencia. These three concerts will be a splendid prelude to the days of competition, which will be held in the Palau de la Música and whose climax and close will be a performance by the Valencia Municipal Band. Rita Barberá Nolla |
