WOZ - Wind Orchestra Zaragoza

HISTORY OF THE BAND

Wind Orchestra Zaragoza is a professional ensemble of highly qualified musicians. The Orchestra brings together a large number of young people from the Aragon Region who are passionate about wind band music.

The Orchestra has its headquarters in the Municipal Conservatory and has been described by music critics as the ultimate benchmark for our city and the Aragon Region.

Despite its short history - it was founded in October 2011 - the Orchestra has already released two CDs. The first of these, SPANISH WINDS, features Spanish music and the work of Spanish composers. Their second CD, BESTIARIUM, features more foreign music. Both recordings were presented in the Sala Mozart of the Zaragoza Auditorium. Bestiarium was presented on 2 March 2014 to great critical acclaim.

The Orchestra has made numerous performances, but the following are particularly worthy of note:

• " Appearances on Aragon TV in music programs.
• Collaboration with the Aragon Film-maker's Association as a guest orchestra for their awards gala.
• Educational concerts for children.
• Religious music programs together with the Association for the Study of Zaragoza Holy Week.
• Aragon music programs together with singers renowned in this genre.
• Important concerts such as that of 23 April, Aragon Day, in the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, or that of 22 February 2015 in the Sala Mozart of the Zaragoza Auditorium together with the Amici Musicae, the resident choir.

Since March 2014, FRANK DE VUYST - considered by many to be one of the best conductors in the world - has been the Orchestra's Artistic Director.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

Frank De Vuyst

Frank De Vuyst was born in the Belgian city of Zele in Flanders.

He began studying music in the academy in Lokeren, going on to advanced studies at the Superior Conservatory of Ghent (Belgium), in Maastricht and Tilburg (Holland), graduating in Music Theory, Teaching, Saxophone and Professional Band Conducting. He also studied orchestra conducting in Vienna (Austria) with the maestro Richard Edlinger.

As a guest conductor he has performed in numerous countries including Belgium, Holland, the USA, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, South Korea, Portugal and Spain.
In Spain, he was principal conductor of the Symphonic Bands of the Ateneo Musical of Cullera, the Unión Musical of Ondara, the Unión Musical of Utiel, and the Centro Instructivo Musical "La Armónica" of Buñol. He is currently the principal conductor of the Unió Musical of Torrent and the Agrupació Artística of Dénia. He is the artistic director of the Wind Orchestra Zaragoza (WOZ) and the wind band of the Medellín Music Schools Network in Colombia.

He is the artistic director of the International Wind Band Music Congress, organized by the Medellín Town Council since 2010, which in just a few years has become the most important event for wind bands in Latin America.

He also Works with the Piles publishing house (Valencia), where he manages new publications for wind bands and international public relations.

He has recorded for labels in Spain, the USA, Japan, Belgium and Colombia.

He has won prizes in various contests in Spain and abroad. He holds the Golden Baton from the International "Vila d'Altea" Contest in recognition of his three wins in this competition.