Banda Sinfónica “Músicos sin Fronteras”

HISTORY OF THE BAND

The Musicians without Borders Symphony Band (BSMSF) is an initiative of the Valencia branch of Musicians without Borders, an NGO founded in Vitoria-Gasteiz in 1995 with the objective of supporting the most disadvantaged children in the world. The NGO has international cooperation projects in developing countries such as Cuba, Thailand, Cape Verde, Guatemala, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

The Band is made up of professional and amateur musicians from Valencia who belong to more than 20 wind bands in the Region. Its aims are to raise awareness of Musicians without Border's projects to promote human rights and raise funds through its concerts to fund these projects and those run by other institutions. They also seek to encourage volunteering among professional musicians and music students.

In April 2011, the BSMSF gave a charity concert in the Valencia Palacio de Congresos to raise funds for the victims of the Japan earthquake. It was organized by the NGO and the Rotary Clubs of the city and province of Valencia.

The organization receives support from well-known individuals and institutions in the charity and cultural sectors; some of them are renowned instrumentalists, composers and directors who are members of Musicians without Border's artistic committee and honor committee.

It also receives invaluable contributions from famous Valencian composers who have waived royalties on some of their works or composed works specifically for the project "Los Derechos Humanos, a bombo y platillo" [Fanfare for Human Rights], which Musicians without Borders is currently working on.

Since its beginnings, the musical and artistic direction of the BSMSF project has been the responsibility of Maestro José Miguel Micó Castellano, a prestigious director in the Valencian band world.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONDUCTOR

José Miguel Micó Castellano

José Miguel Micó Castellano began studying music at the Llíria Music Association with Francisco Villarejo. He went on to the Valencia Superior Conservatory of Music where he received the End of Course Prize in Clarinet. He attended courses in Direction taught by Maestro Enrique García Asensio.

In 1974 he became a clarinet teacher for the Valencia Municipal Band, a post he obtained through public examinations and which he still holds today.

From 1974 to 1997 he was Principal Conductor of the Manises "La Artística" Band with which he won: eight First Prizes in the International Wind Band Contest "City of Valencia"; First Prize in the Valencia Provincial Contest; and First "Youth" Prize and First Prize and Honorable Mention in the "Villa de Altea" Contest.

He directed the Llíria Music Association Orchestra for three years and from 1997 to 2009 he was Principal Conductor of their Symphony Band with which he toured throughout Europe, Japan, Cuba and Venezuela. He won all the contests he took part in with the Music Association: three First Prizes and Honorable Mention in the "City of Valencia" contest, including a maximum score (400 points), and two First Prizes and Honorable Mention in the "Villa de Altea" Contest.

The awards and distinctions he has received include: Honorary Son of the City of Manises, Key to the City and Gold Amphora, Gold Baton from the Villa de Altea Contest, Euterpe Prize for his career in band direction, the City of Manises 9 October Prize and Honorary Director of the Manises "La Artística". He was named "Honored Guest" of the Venezuelan city of Mérida. He also holds the Gold Insignia from the Llíria Music Association, the Gold Insignia from the Llíria Town Council and the City of Valencia Fine Arts Gold Medal.

As a guest conductor he has directed: the municipal bands of Valencia, Madrid, and Lérida; the National Band of Cuba and the City of Havana; the Caibarién Municipal Band and the Narashino Band of Japan.