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| The ‘City of Valencia’ Band Competition was first held towards the end of the 19th century, and it has now soberly entered the 21st century. More than a hundred years of history to cover three centuries of music; a long journey through the most significant events that have influenced the history of Valencia since 1886, the year in which the mayor of Valencia at that time, Manuel Sapiña Rico, with the help of a town councillor who was a music enthusiast (José Soriano Plassent), decided to create a 'musical contest' for bands in Valencia. The initial idea would become one of the most important band contests in the world, something that those who propitiated the first and difficult auditions could never have imagined. |
Singular aspects of the Contest
The contest has been able to maintain its own personality since the very beginning, in spite of the numerous changes introduced throughout the years to encourage healthy rivalry among the competing bands. This rivalry has ended up being one of the keys to its success.
In 1888, the contest was divided into civilian and military bands. The first prize in those days was 1,200 pesetas, which was a considerable amount of money. |
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However, in 1895, a new section in the contest was created to include foreign bands and musical associations. Some time later, in 1902, Valencia Town Council created two new sections: a section for regional bands and a section for national ones.
By the end of the 19th century, the international nature of the contest was already a reality, although the organisation has changed over the years until recently admitting foreign bands to compete equally with Spanish musical associations, and of course musical associations from Valencia.
Another constant feature of the contest has been the excellent public acceptance right from the very beginning. Around 1920, newspapers of the time already chronicled the massive attendance to the concerts by a wide group of enthusiasts. The 'City of Valencia' International Band Competition has managed to survive even when classical music concerts have had to compete with large-scale entertainment events for the masses.
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Fundamental changes
During the 1940s, the contest went through a re-launching period. In 1944, prize money was increased and, consequently, so was the number of bands participating. During the 1949 edition, more than one thousand musicians were present at the bullring in Valencia. |
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The prestige of the contest gradually increased thanks to the quality of the participating bands, the success of the concerts, and the rigorous management of the different editions. This prestige rose to an even higher level when after several years, in 1977, foreign bands could compete once more in the event. Ever since, Valencia has become a mandatory summer date for bands arriving from the five continents, hoping to win in any of the sections of the most important band competition in the world.
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The organising committees have adapted the event to the characteristics of the times, resulting in various changes over the years, such as the restructuring of the different sections, an increase in money received for participating in the event and given as prizes, and the creation of the Prize for the Best Valencian Band participating in the event. |
The Contest today
The 'City of Valencia' International Band Competition has contributed to the dissemination of band music, as well as to the internationalisation of the most relevant musicians and composers from Valencia. As an example, ever since the publication of the first record in 1979, a complete collection of compact discs of the compulsory pieces for participating bands and some of the most relevant pieces of the Municipal Band of Valencia has been recorded. This collection has become a classic for music lovers, as well as a musical document of the utmost importance. |
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Furthermore, there is the annual commitment, which first came about in 1997, proposed by the town councillor for Festivities and Popular Culture, Alfonso Grau Alonso, and upheld by his current successor Félix Crespo Hellín, which consists of entrusting the best composers of today (from Valencia and on a national scale) with the task of composing a compulsory musical piece to be performed for the first time during the contest and to later form part of the bands' repertoires.
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| It is a musical selection that can be used and enjoyed by future generations, thanks to the recently created record library, which aspires to become one of the most highly esteemed treasures for music band lovers. From the vinyl record to the creation of its Internet page, not forgetting numerous pictures and recordings on compact discs, the organisers of the contest have made an effort to provide our musicians with the largest number of means possible. |
However, the promotion of the cultural and artistic aspects of the bands goes beyond mere music. For several years now, the contest has been creating its own iconography. Although during the first few years, the contest was publicised as part of the July Fair, it soon obtained its own publicity poster painted by some of the most famous artists from Valencia. Since 1996, a poster competition is organised each year and the exhibition of all participants has created a new opportunity for unknown Valencian artists. Culture, music and people are united at the beginning of a new century.
Contest that still dreams and maintains its hopes of becoming a cultural reference able to dignify the efforts of those who make it possible. |
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