Ateneo Musical de Cullera HISTORY OF THE BAND Since its foundation in 1896 by the local teacher, composer and musician Heliodoro Frigola Calatayud, the Band of the Cullera Sociedad Ateneu Musical has always had excellent conductors. The Band’s current head conductor is Vicente Soler Solano. The Band has won many prizes, mainly at the International Wind Band Contest “City of Valencia”. It took part in this contest for the first time in 1927 and won First Prize in Division Two. In 1951 and 1955 it participated in Division One and won First Prize. Since 1956 it has taken part in the Honorary Division, where it won First Prize in 1957. Overall, it has won 13 First Prizes at the Valencia contest, with Honorable Mentions in 1987 and 1998. In July 1989, the Band won First Prize with Golden Timpani at the World Music Contest in Kerkrade. In 1997 the Band won First Prize and Honorable Mention in the 26th International Contest “Vila d’ Altea” and in 1998 First Prize with Honorable Mention in the Valencia Contest. In 2001 the Band won First Prize in the Honorary Division of the International Wind Band Contest “City of Valencia”, and in 2002 First Prize and Honorable Mention in the 31st International Contest “Vila d’ Altea". In 2008 the Band won First Prize in the Honorary Division of the International Wind Band Contest “City of Valencia” and First Prize, Honorable Mention and Gold Bowtie in the Altea Contest. In 1996 the Band celebrated its centenary, naming HRH Felipe of Bourbon and Greece, the Prince of Asturias, as the Association’s Honorary President. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR Vicente Soler SolanoVicente Soler Solano was born in Benaguasil (Valencia). He is the Director and Head of the Badajoz Municipal Wind Band, a position he gained through public examinations. He is also the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Wind Band of the Cullera Sociedad Ateneo Musical. He has 5 advanced diplomas from the Valencia Superior Conservatory of Music. He also holds advanced diplomas in orchestra and choir conducting, which he studied for with Rafael Talens, Manuel Galduf and Eduardo Cifre; he qualified for both subjects with distinction.As a guest conductor he has directed the Malta Municipal Band, the “Inmemorial del Rey” Infantry Band, the Alicante Municipal Band, the Seville Municipal Band, the Barcelona Municipal Band and the Madrid Municipal Band. In 2005 he became the conductor of the Band of the Federation of Music Societies of the Autonomous Region of Valencia (FSMCV). In 2012 he was appointed conductor of the Band of the Extremadura Federation of Wind Bands, and in 2013 he was invited to conduct the “Músicos Valencianos por el Mundo” Symphonic Band. As a head conductor he has won the highest prizes, including 12 consecutive First Prizes in Valencia Region International Contests. In 2008, with the Band of the Cullera Ateneo Musical, he won two first prizes in two of the most prestigious contests in the world: Overall First Prize and Honorable Mention in the International Wind Band Contest “City of Valencia” in the Honorary Division; and First Prize with Honorable Mention and Gold Bowtie in the International Wind Band Contest “City of Altea”. He has a teaching degree from the University of Valencia. In 2006, he became a permanent faculty member of the Valencia Academy of Music, teaching music direction. |
