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06/11/2025
The Palau de la Música will host the 138th edition of the International Band Competition ‘City of Valencia’ next July. This edition has received 43 applications, of which 41 bands have finally registered, one of the highest numbers in recent years, following the trend of last year. Additionally, the historic record of 7 ensembles in the Honor Division is maintained, with traditionally ‘certamen’ bands returning after years of absence.

Notable is the presence of four bands that wanted to participate last year but remained on the reserve list.

The total amount of prizes to be awarded in 2026 according to the jury’s scores amounts to €36,500, distributed with Honorable Mentions for different divisions: Honor Division (€15,000); Division One (€10,000); Division Two (€6,500); and Division Three (€5,000).

Furthermore, participating bands will receive financial contributions for taking part in the competition ranging from €3,500 to €12,000, depending on the division in which they compete. This represents an increase of €1,000 per participating band, totaling €27,000 more compared to the previous year in these contributions.

 

27 bands from the Valencian Community

Of the 41 registered bands, 27 are ensembles coming from various parts of the Valencian Community. Additionally, 5 come from different parts of the national territory, and 9 are foreign bands, from Colombia, Italy, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Hungary, and Portugal.

 

The 14 bands registered in Division Three are:

  1. Unió Musical La Nucia (Alicante) (2025 Reserve)
  2. Banda Sinfónica Especial de Cajicá (Colombia)
  3. Banda Musicale “Isola di Procida” (Italy)
  4. Orchestra Fiati Maria SS di Custonaci (Italy)
  5. Banda de Bullas (Murcia)
  6. Asociación Músico-Cultural Banda de Música de Gerena (Sevilla)
  7. Banda Filharmònica de la S.M. Ateneu de Manises (València)
  8. Unió Musical de Benicull (València)
  9. Sociedad Musical La Esperanza de San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicante)
  10. Agrupación Artístico Musical de Tavernes Blanques (València)
  11. Unió Artística Musical de Vilamarxant (València)
  12. Unió Musical Santa Cecília de Paterna (València)
  13. Centre Estudi Musical d’Almàssera (València)
  14. Unión Musical Ilicitana (Alicante)

 

Division Two has a total of 10 bands registered:

  1. Associació Banda Simfònica de Reus (Tarragona) (2025 Reserve)
  2. Studenten Harmonie Orkest Twente (The Netherlands)
  3. Sociedad Musical de Cehegín (Murcia)
  4. Sociedad Musical Santa Cecilia de Chelva (València)
  5. Banda de Música La Lira de Cheste (Valencia)
  6. Societat Musical l’Aliança de Mutxamel (Alicante)
  7. Unió Musical de Paiporta (València)
  8. Unión Musical de Mislata (València)
  9. Círculo Instructivo Musical de Xirivella (València)
  10. L’Harmonia Societat Musical Alacant (Alicante)

 

The Free Division has 3 bands registered:

  1. Lithuanian Symphonic Wind Orchestra (Lithuania)
  2. Tótkomlós Youth Wind Band (Hungary)
  3. Pentamusa Wind Orchestra (Italy)

 

Division One has 7 registered ensembles:

  1. Sociedad Musical Santa Cecilia de Requena (València) (2025 Reserve)
  2. Banda Musicale Monastir (Italy)
  3. Banda Sinfónica ARMAB (Portugal)
  4. Agrupación Musical San Indalecio de Almería (Almería)
  5. Societat Musical L’Artesana de Catarroja (València)
  6. Sociedad Musical «La Primitiva» de Rafelbunyol (València)
  7. Unió Artística Musical de Montroi (València)

 

Finally, the 7 bands registered in the Honor Division are:

  1. Societat Musical d’Alzira (València) (2025 Reserve)
  2. Societat Musical L’Artística Manisense (València)
  3. Societat Musical Lira Castellonera (València)
  4. Unió Musical de Torrent (València)
  5. Unió Musical d’Alaquàs (València)
  6. Sociedad Unión Musical de Almoradí (Alicante)
  7. Societat Musical Instructiva Santa Cecília de Cullera (València)

 

Regarding the required pieces to be performed in each division, they are as follows: in the Honor Division, the expressionist symphonic poem Ressorgir by Valencian composer Francisco Zacarés Fort in Division One, Arlequín by Ernesto Aurignac, in Division Two, Leyendas del bosque by Enrique Cárcel Villalba, and in Division Three, Assur by Sara Galiana.

 

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LIST OF REGISTERED BANDS
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