RITA BARBERÁ NOLLA

The International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" has been part of our city's cultural, artistic and musical life for 127 years, ever since it was created as a rendezvous for the wonderful reality that are the Region of Valencia's wind bands. A splendid display of our skill and love for music which originate in the bands of our towns and cities, where hundreds of Valencian children develop their vocation and passion for music.

The International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" reflects, year after year, the strength of these musical groups which attend all our festivals and celebrations, all the important occasions where Valencians get together to mark an event. This makes wind band music an essential part of life in Valencia.

We could say that bands are in our DNA; they are part of the essence of what it is to be Valencian. It is undoubtedly for this reason that the city of Valencia, the capital of the Region, has the privilege of becoming, year after year, the world capital for wind bands, the stage for a Contest which goes beyond our borders and which, in 2013, has the great satisfaction of welcoming groups from three continents - Europe, America and Asia - as well as some of the best wind bands from Valencia and other parts of Spain.

During the 18, 19, 20 and 21 July, the Palau de la Música becomes the ideal setting for wind band music to take center stage. Fans of this music, which is extremely popular and deep-rooted in our region, will be able to listen to foreign bands from Singapore, Austria, Japan and Venezuela, and bands from parts of Spain including Jaén, Cuenca, Pontevedra or Ciudad Real. The Contest's finale is provided by the Honorary Division, in which all the bands - including the Valencia Municipal Band - will be Valencian.

This year, for the first time, the International Wind Band Contest will feature a pre-contest. This new event will be held in the Mercado de Colón, a marvelous jewel of modernism which, on the 15, 16 and 17 July, will ring with wind band music performed by the Network Percussion Ensemble from the USA, the Big Band Casino Musical de Godella and the Agrupació Musical de Veterans of la Ribera del Xúquer.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to enjoy this intense week of music. I would also like to extend a most warm welcome to the members of all the bands, whether Spanish, European, Asian or American, who have come to Valencia to take part in this great international event.

Rita Barberá Nolla
Mayor of Valencia