More than 40 ensembles from all over the world will be performing at the Palau de la Música
The International Music Band Contest “City of Valencia” returns with a new edition celebrating its 140th anniversary.
This year the CIBM will be welcoming 44 bands from different countries - Colombia, Italy, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Hungary and Portugal - although most of the participants will be from Valencia.
To make sure you don’t miss a thing, the programme is divided into two main sections. The first is the official competition, which will take place from 15 to 19 July, where bands will be competing for the season’s top prizes. The second is a series of side events and special concerts that will fill the city with rhythm from 21 June onwards.
The Contest
The key dates of the contest are 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 July, when the groups will take to the stage at the Palau de la Música to compete in the various categories.
The bands will compete for the titles by performing renowned works such as:
- Third Section: Assur by Sara Galiana.
- Second Section: Legends of the Forest by Enrique Cárcel Villalba.
- First Section Arlequín by Ernesto Aurignac.
- Honour Section: The seven major ensembles in this category will take on “Ressorgir”, a symphonic poem by Francisco Zacarés Fort.
Tickets for all the contest's concerts are free while seats last, so don't miss out!
Full programme of CIBM events and concerts
17 July at 4:30 p.m. – Second section — Palau de la Música — Free until full capacity is reached
On this day, the groups will face the mandatory work “Legends of the Forest”, in addition to presenting their respective warm-up and free-choice pieces. Participants:
- La Lira de Cheste Music Band, Valencia
- Cehegín Music Society, Murcia
- Paiporta Music Association, Valencia
- Studenten Harmonie Orkest Twente, Netherlands
- Santa Cecilia Music Society, Chelva, Valencia
- Reus Symphonic Band Association, Tarragona
- Guest ensemble: Alaquàs Music Union of Valencia
18 July at 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Section One — Palau de la Música — Free until full capacity is reached
Each of the bands will put their talent to the test with the mandatory piece “Harlequin”, completing their repertoire with a free piece and a warm-up piece. Participants:
- San Indalecio Music Society, Almería
- Santa Cecilia Music Society, Requena, Valencia
- Montroi Artistic and Musical Association, Valencia
- Symphonic Band of the Amigos da Branca Recreational and Musical Association, Portugal
- ‘La Primitiva’ Music Society, Rafelbunyol, Valencia
- Guest ensemble: Barcelona Municipal Band, Barcelona
19 July at 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – VIP section — Palau de la Música — Free until full capacity is reached
The programme for the day includes a performance of the compulsory piece, ‘Ressorgir’, alongside the warm-up pieces and free-choice pieces selected by each ensemble. Participants:
- Torrent Musical Union, Valencia
- Lira Castellonera Musical Society, Valencia
- L'Artística Manisense Musical Society, Valencia
- Santa Cecilia Instructive Musical Society of Cullera, Valencia
- Alzira Musical Society, Valencia
- Guest ensemble: Valencia Municipal Symphony Band
