The first documentary evidence of a band in our town dates to 1868, but it was just a group of friends who met to play short pieces of music.

In 1919 an organized band had already been formed, called the "Corbera Music Union". In 1920 the Band hired a music teacher, Ricardo Benavent i Bonora.

In 1921, having been hired by a falla in Valencia, the Band took to the streets for the first time.

In 1922 there were differences between the Band's members and the group disappeared.

On 6 March 1924 some of the former members decided to form a band, which they gave the name that the Band still has today: "LA LIRA" MUSIC ASSOCIATION.

The Maestros-Directors of our Band have been:

• Ricardo Banavent Bonora (1924-32)
• Eduardo Vila Pons
• Marino Martí Blay (1935-36)
• Bernabé Sanchis
• Alfredo Baldrés
• José Maria Borrero
• Vicente Terol Gandia (1945-50)
• Rafael Talens (padre)
• José Maria Sanchis Chapa
• José Chasan
• Vicente Alonso Brull
• José Fabra López (1973-91)
• Fco. Javier Martínez Martínez (1991-98)
• Jesús Cantos Plaza (1999-2002)
• Ricardo Ortega Sansaloni (2002-2009)

In 2009, the Band's current director, Samuel Pérez Ortega, took up to baton.

During our long history, we have won many illustrious prizes and honors, including:

• First Prize in the Pasodoble Festival (Sueca, 1929)
• First Prize in the Alcoi Band Contest (1933)
• Second Prize in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" (1936)
• From 1945 to 1950, 6 first prizes, 4 second prizes and a third prize in the contests in Albaida, Requena, Cullera, Benifaió, Carcaixent, Catarroja, Gandia and Xàtiva.
• Second Prize in the Sueca Band Contest (1952)
• Second Prize in the Alcoi Band (1957)
• First Prize in the Band Contest "City of Segorbe" (1983)
• Third Prize in the Campo de Criptana Band Contest (1989)
• Second Prize in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" (1992)
• First Prize in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" (1993)
• Second Prize in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" (2000)
• Third Prize in the Valencia Provincial Band Contest (2001)
• Second Prize in the Vila d'Alginet Band Contest (2009)
• First Prize in the Dosbarrios Band Contest (Toledo) (2010)

Today, the Band organizes and participates in numerous international band festivals, such as this one, which promote and disseminate our culture which, as Valencians, we value so highly.


BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

Samuel Pérez Ortega

Samuel Pérez Ortega was born in Guadassuar and began studying music in the "Santa Cecilia" Music Association. He went on to study at the Carcaixent "Mestre Vert" Conservatory, the Granada Superior Conservatory and the Valencia "Joaquín Rodrigo" Conservatory, where he was awarded his advanced qualifications in clarinet teaching.

Later, he studied both the clarinet and other subjects (conducting, analysis, pedagogy, teaching methods, music computing, etc.) with prestigious teachers.

As a performer, he has given many concerts as a soloist and as an instrumentalist in various chamber ensembles (particularly in clarinet quartets) all over Spain. Moreover, he has been the solo clarinetist of the Guadassuar "Santa Cecília" Music Association Band for several years, with which he has won prizes in all categories, including the Honorary Division of the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia".

He is currently a clarinet and chamber music teacher at the Elda "Ana Mª Sánchez" Professional Conservatory of Music.

He has recently finished his degree in Orchestra Conducting at the University of Valencia.

From 1997 to 2009 he was the Director of the Piles "Saint Bárbara" Music Association and their music school. As a conductor, he has won various prizes, including third prizes at the Valencia Provincial Band Contest in 2000 and 2007, and Third Prize at the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia".

In 2009 he became the Conductor of the Corbera "La Lira" Music Association Band, with which he won First Prize at the Third Villa de Dosbarrios Band Contest in 2010.