Mrs. M.^a IRENE BENEYTO JIMÉNEZ DE LAIGLESIA

This year the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia" starts a new phase in the Palau de la Música, with new content and original ideas which aim to bring the competition even closer to its audience.

A contest charged with excitement in which quality, firmly established over the course of its extensive and glittering history, will continue to be the fundamental premise and common denominator. This gathering is without doubt a grand display and a byword for prestige in the city of Valencia, and a gold standard for music groups all over the world.

Healthy musical rivalry will continue push the twenty-two wind bands taking part in their respective divisions to give their very best, and encourage the audience to enjoy their performances and those of the four guest bands, among which is the centenarian Valencia Municipal Band which, and it could not be otherwise, will provide the contest with its grand finale.

I am particularly proud that the contest will be organized for the first time by the Palau de la Música, a true stage for artistic expression for all the music groups in the Valencia Region. Every week, in the Palau's Sala Iturbi, we witness the great enthusiasm of the region’s musicians and their phenomenal dedication, qualities which bring us so much international recognition.

As President of the Palau de la Música and Councilor for the Valencia Orchestra and Municipal Band, I would like to welcome all the participating wind bands and wish them the best of luck, whether they come from Valencia or are visiting us from other parts of Spain or abroad. Finally, I would like to encourage everyone in Valencia to attend the Contest so that it can continue to be a wonderful event in which music is the real winner.

Mrs. M.ª Irene Beneyto Jiménez de Laiglesia
President of the Palau de la Música and Councilor for the Valencia Municipal Band and Orchestra