The Music Association Band was founded in 1910. Since 1916, when they took part in the Valencia Contest for the first time, they have participated tirelessly in numerous competitions (Requena, Villanueva de Castellón, Altea, Cullera, Elda) and contests, and when they were at their best they competed against bands such as those from Llíria and Villanueva de Castellón.

Their most important prizes are: First Prize in the Valencia Provincial Contest (1987); First Prize in the Valencia Region Wind Band Contest (1987); First Prize in the Cullera Contest (1995); First Prize in the Valencia Provincial Contest (1997); First Prize in the Valencia Provincial Contest (1999); First Prize in Division One of the Valencia Region Wind Band Contest (1999); Second Prize in the Wind Band Contest "City of Cullera" (2002); Second Prize in the Special Division of the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" (2003); and Second Prize in the Valencia Provincial Contest (2010).

The Band has been led by conductors such as Manuel Belando, Juan Martínez, Hipólito Martínez, Enrique Andreu Romero, Francisco Idilio Gimeno, Francisco Carreño, Manuel Enguídanos, José Miguel Sanz García and Luís Serrano Alarcón. Currently, José Miguel Sanz García is the Band's Director for the second time.

The music school teaches wind and string instruments, piano, percussion, guitar, theory, group singing, group performance and chess. Currently the school has 228 students forming the following groups: string and percussion ensembles at first and second course level; string ensembles at first and second course level; and plectrum ensembles at first and second course level.

The Association's titular ensembles are the Symphonic Band, the Plectrum Orchestra, the Choir and the Orchestra.

The Association has 785 members and its President is José Ballester Zarzo.


BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

José Miguel Sanz García

José Miguel Sanz García began studying music in the Benimaclet Music Instruction Centre (CIM), where he was taught by Carlos Gimeno and Gabriel Diago.

He continued his studies at the Valencia Superior Conservatory of Music where he gained his higher diploma in Horn. He has studied Harmony, Counterpoint and Fugue, and Choir Direction.

He has a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Valencia; his doctoral thesis was entitled 'Miguel Asíns Arbó: music and cinematography'. He has a degree in Music History and Sciences from La Rioja University. He also has a master's degree in Esthetics and Musical Creativity and an advanced studies diploma from the University of Valencia.

As an instrumentalist he has collaborated with numerous Valencian groups, particularly chamber music ensembles. He has also formed part of various choral groups.

He has published many teaching materials for the Ministry of Culture. He divides his time between playing and teaching and since 1990 he has been a secondary school teacher, specializing in Music.

As a composer he has written various musical stories and the soundtracks for the TV-movies 'El caso de la novia dividida' (Joan Marimón, 2006) and 'El enigma Giaccomo' (Joan Marimón, 2008).

He is a founding member of the "MESTRAL" brass quintet.

Since 1996 he has been the Music Director of the Valencia City Council auditions for school pupils held in the Palau de la Música as part of the "Creciendo con la música" and "Al compás de la música" programs. These programs involved various original projects for school children of all ages.

From 1996 to 2000 he directed the Benimaclet CIM School and its Band with which he won numerous prizes at Regional Contests. He has recently taken up the position as Band Director once again.