Agrupación Musical "La Nova" de Banyeres de Mariola

HISTORY OF THE BAND

The "La Nova" Wind Band was founded in 1997. Their first conductor was the young musician and composer from Banyeres, Oscar Sempere Francés.

In 2002, the baton was passed to the musician, Jaume Pascual Sirera, who was from Beneixama.

In 2002 and 2007, the Band recorded two CDs in tribute to the composer and director of the former Bañeres Municipal Band, Godofredo Garrigues.

At the end of 2007, Antonio Lillo Pérez became the Band's director and is still in post today.

The Band has taken part in various contests. In 2009 they won third prize in the 28th Alicante Provincial Wind Band Contest. In 2010 they won first prize and honorable mention in Division Four of the 39th Provincial Wind Band Contest. They also received first prize and honorable mention at the 32nd Valencia Regional Contest in Cheste, which led them to perform in the "Día de la Música Valenciana" concert series in the El Teatro Principal in Alicante, the auditorium of the Palau de Congresos in Castellón, and the auditorium of the Palau de les Arts "Reina Sofia" in Valencia.

In 2013 they won second prize in the 10th Festival Music Contest in Altea la Vella.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

Antonio Lillo Pérez

Antonio Lillo Pérez was born in Villena in 1982. He began studying music in the local municipal conservatory with oboe teachers, Vicente Pérez, Feliciano Carbonell and Carlos Monzó. He went on to study at the "Óscar Esplá" Superior Conservatory in Alicante with Jesús Meliá.

He has been a member of the Philharmonic Band of the University of Alicante, and has played the oboe and French horn with the Teatro Chapí Symphony Orchestra. He teaches at the Petrer, Hondón de las Nieves, Caudete, and Monforte del Cid music schools.

He was deputy director of the Villena Municipal Band and director of the Villena Youth Band in 2007 and 2008. From 2008 to 2013 he was director of the Youth Band "El Trabajo" of Xixona. He has conducted the "La Nova" Wind Band of Banyeres de Mariola since January 2008.