INSTITUTIONAL GREETINGS
Agrupació Musical L'Amistat HISTORY OF THE BAND The origins of the band go back to 1885 when it was called the "Sociedad Filarmónica de Quart de Poblet", although some historical sources date its foundation to 1870. Its first director was Onofre Molins Pinazo, a name which has a permanent place in the band's history and is associated with many fond memories. In 1911 the band became known as the "Sociedad Artístico Musical Instructiva y de Socorros Mutuos La Amistad". Maestro Onofre Molins Pinazo was succeeded in the post by his son, Onofre Molins Valldecabres (1911-1919 and 1944-1955), Vicente Peris Valero (1919-1942), José Sanmartín Gimeno (1942-1944), Vicente Palacio (1955-1960) and Miguel Pascual Ferrer (1960-1963). The most significant phase of the band's history began in 1963 with the arrival of Maestro Esteban Esteve Jorge. During the 27 years he led the band, the group won important national and international awards. Since 1990 the band has been directed by the following prominent professionals, with whom it has won famous prizes: Vicent Morató Tarazona (1990-1993), Francisco Melero Belmonte (1993-1996), Teodoro Aparicio Barberán (1996-2000), Llorenç Mendoza i Ruiz (2001-2005), David Penadés Fasanar (2006) and, since January 2007, José Onofre Díez Monzó. The band has taken part in many editions of the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia". Particularly worthy of note are the first prize and honorable mention the band received in the Special Division in 2003. The band has also taken part in the World Music Contest in Kerkrade (Holland) three times (1985, 1989 and 2001). The first time it received a first prize, an honorable mention and the golden kettledrum, and the other two times it was awarded a first prize and an honorable mention. The Amistat also has an orchestra, a youth band, a youth orchestra, different chamber groups and a music school which is recognized by the Valencian Government and attended by more than 200 pupils. BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR José Onofre Díez MonzóJosé Onofre Díez Monzó was born in Quart de Poblet (Valencia) where he began his musical studies with Esteban Esteve in the "Agrupació Musical L'Amistat".He completed his official studies in the Valencia Superior Conservatory of Music where his teachers included José María Cervera Lloret, Vicente Asencio, Eduardo Cifre and Amando Blanquer. He has attended various conducting courses with Maestros José María Cervera Collado, Bernardo Adam, Pedro Pirfano and Enrique García Asensio. He has taught at high school diploma level since 1988, a post he gained through public examination (achieving the highest mark), at the IES Ramón Muntaner (Xirivella). He taught musical forms, chamber music and instrumental ensemble at the Rioja Conservatory and was also the director of the Conservatory's Orchestra. He is a member of ISME (International Society for Music Education), an organization promoted by UNESCO. He was given the title "Adoptive Son of Montserrat" and the Professional Conservatory of this town is named after him in honor of his work. He was a semi-finalist in the Manuel Palau Orchestra Conducting Contest, held in the Valencia Superior Conservatory of Music. He was chosen to be the consulting conductor for and to take part in the "Arriben Bandes" exhibition which is currently being shown in the Valencia Museum of Ethnography. He was selected to direct the Valencia Municipal Band in the course taught by José Ferríz in the "Hall of Columns" of the Lonja in Valencia. He has recorded with various groups, including a CD released on the RTVE label. He is the founding director of the orchestras of La Rioja (Conservatory), the Unió Musical of Benaguasil, the Societat Musical of Picassent and the Unió Musical of Montserrat. He was principal conductor of the symphony bands of these last three music associations and was also the principal conductor of the Unión Musical of Yátova, the Sociedad of Vallada, the Agrupació Musical L'Amistat of Quart de Poblet and the Ateneo Musical del Puerto of Valencia. As a guest director he has led the Valencia Municipal Band, the Alicante Municipal Band, the Societat Musical of Montcada, the Ateneu Musical of Cullera, the Orfeó Valencià Navarro Reverter, the Pequeños Cantores of Valencia, the Orfeó of Aldaia, the Escola Coral Veus Juntes and the Valencia Conservatory Orchestra. |
