Unión Musical Santa Cecilia de Canals

HISTORY OF THE BAND

The band was founded in November 1987. It currently has 83 member musicians, whose average age is under 23, and a music school with 100 pupils.

The Band's activities are varied and diverse, and include concerts, festivals, contests, and exchanges with other bands.

In 2001, the Band took part in the Águeda International Concert in Portugal. In 2004 they participated in the Montiel National Wind Band Contest and the First "Villa de Alginet" Contest, where they won second prize. In 2005, they took part in the inauguration of the Palau de les Arts "Reina Sofía" in Valencia.

In 2006 the band was nominated for a Euterpe Prize in the Band Recording category, for their CD, "Canals en festa".

In 2009 the Band won second prize in the Provincial Wind Band Contest organized by the Valencia Provincial Government. In 2010 they won first prize at the National Moors and Christians Festival Music Contest "Ciudad de Villena". In 2011 they won first prize at the Elda festive music contest. Also in 2011, they received first prize at the Wind Band Contest in Ontinyent.

The Band has also performed alongside renowned figures from the music world such as Manolo Escobar, Fernando Argenta and Pep Gimeno "Botifarra". The Band has taken part in various concerts with Pep Gimeno and also performed on his single, "Ja ve nadal".

Gerardo Cardona Lliso and Vicente Tortosa Palop were the Band's first directors. Today it is led by Francesc Xavier Martínez Martínez.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

Francesc Xavier Martínez Martínez

Francisco Javier Martínez Martínez is originally from Quart de Poblet. He is an advanced music teacher, specializing in trumpet.

He studied trumpet, harmony, counterpoint, choir direction, musicology and History of Music in the superior conservatories of Castellón and Valencia.

He has conducted the wind bands of Corbera, Godella, Font de la Figuera, Alberic, the Unió Musical d'Alcoi and he is currently the director of the Unión Musical Santa Cecília of Canals.

As a wind band conductor he has taken part in numerous contests, winning various prizes.

In 2012 the Federation of Music Societies of the Autonomous Region of Valencia selected him to be the Artistic Director of its Wind Band.

He is the director of the "Mestre Molins" Professional Conservatory of Music in Quart de Poblet, and teaches music at the Jesús María High School in Valencia.