Banda Artística de Merza

HISTORY OF THE BAND

Founded in 1828, the Merza Artistic Band is the oldest popular music group in Galicia. The first musical director of whom there is a record is Anselmo González. From 1930 to 1939 the band was divided in two groups, the "Banda Vella" and the "Banda Nova".

The Merza Artistic Band has performed all over Galicia and in Asturias, Cantabria, Valencia, Catalonia, Venezuela, Argentina, Portugal, Italy and Holland, where in 2009 they became the first Galician band to take part in the WMC in Kerkrade.

Since the release of their first record, "Bandas Gallegas", in 1981, they have released many others such as "171 años de Tradición Musical", "Aniversario", "A música de Merza. Solistas" and "Merza, un século de Certames".

Among their many prizes, particularly worthy of note is the first prize they ever won, which they received in 1910 at the Santiago de Compostela Wind Band Contest.

In the last decade their prizes include: Honorable Mention in the special division of the Pontevedra Provincial Band Contest on three occasions; Honorable Mention in Division One of the International Wind Band Contest "Vila D'Altea" on two occasions; and overall First Prize in the Special Section of the Galician Wind Band Contest on two occasions.

Since 2010 the Merza Artistic Band has been directed by Maestro José Luís Quintás Carreira.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

José Luís Quintás Carreira

José Luís Quintás Carreira was born in Palas de Rei (Lugo).

He studied Piano, Musical Composition and Instrumentation at the A Coruña Superior Conservatory of Music. Among the many teachers who played an important role in his training, Mario Seoane and Indalecio Fernández Groba are particularly noteworthy.

He also spent two years studying Music Direction and Instrumentation for Wind Bands with Marcel Van Bree. Moreover, he attended advanced courses with renowned teachers such as Enrique García Asensio, Henrie Adams, G. Chmura and Philippe Entremont.

He has directed the Band of the Lalín Professional Conservatory of Music and the Band of the Santiago de Compostela Professional Conservatory. He was the director of the Agolada Music School Band for ten years, and the director of the Silleda Music School and the Silleda Wind Band. He has also led various Galician groups as a guest conductor, such as the Lálín Municipal Band.

With the Agolada Municipal Band he won the 1st and 2nd Pontevedra Provincial Band Contest in Division Three.

In 2005 he became a teacher of music and scenic arts (specializing in Principles of Composition). He gained the post through public examinations and was assigned to the Santiago de Compostela Conservatory where he still teaches. Since 2010 he has divided his time between teaching and directing the Merza Artistic Band.