JOSEP RODA BATLLE


Josep Roda Batlle was born in Sant Mateu (Castellón). He studied at the Barcelona Municipal Conservatory of Music where he obtained the highest marks in the following diplomas: piano teaching, composition and instrumentation, and orchestra conducting teaching. His teachers were Joan Pich Santasusana, Manuel Oltra, Xavier Montsalvatge and Antoni Ros Marbà. While he was studying music he also attended the Central University of Barcelona where he received his undergraduate degree in philosophy. He also studied for his doctorate in art history at the same university.

As an orchestra director he won the National Vocation Prize. He furthered his studies in orchestra direction at the Salzburg Mozarteum.

He has conducted the orchestra of the Gran Teatro del Liceo, the Orchestra of the Barcelona Municipal Conservatory of Music, 'Camareta Instrumental de Barcelona', the Catalonia National Youth Orchestra and the 'Ferrán Rigual' Operetta Company, as well as the Municipal Bands of Barcelona, Castellón and Sevilla.

He was an expert music consultant for the wind band contests organized for the TVE programs 'Gente Joven' and 'Nueva Gente'. He has been an adjudicator for composition and performance competitions and at numerous wind band contests.

As a composer he has won national awards and has premiered his works, including many compositions for wind band, at the Valencia Palau de la Música and the Barcelona Auditori, as well as on TVE and TV3.

He has numerous publications on teaching and learning music to his name. He has taught music in high schools, in addition to teaching harmony, counterpoint and accompaniment at the Barcelona Superior Conservatory of Music.

He has held the following posts: Deputy Director for Music Education in the Department of Education of the Catalonia Regional Government, Director General of ESMUC, and Coordinator of the Catalonia National Youth Orchestra. Today he continues to work as an active conductor and composer.