uniqueness
11/22
Nothing can be compared with the singularity of the wind band societies that the Valencian Region has. Inhabitants are surrounded by them, used to their sound in the streets whatever the festival or celebration. But the strong social commitment that it generates is not so evident. Most of the band musicians do not dedicate their time to the regulated study of music, but they share their passion with their peers in rehearsals and concerts, and the bond created is incomparable. This is even stronger with youngsters since they are easily introduced to music, and the benefits of this activity on them are widely demonstrated.
I feel privileged to belong to one of these musical societies since my teens; although absent for years or dedicated professionally to music, you never leave your band. And even more privileged and thankful so being the principal conductor for so many years now. I feel responsible for both the musicians and the community we serve, but above all I am proud to see the efforts of some of these young people turn into higher musical education abroad. One of our last concerts is a good example of this.
And it all starts with what experts call a rite of passage or initiation ritual: the whole band arrives at the house of the future musician, who has been preparing for months to become a new full member of the group, and await for him at his own door while playing. I don't think there's such a moving act, and I only have seeing this in our bands. We celebrate it every year at the end of November; almost all the towns in our region, even the smallest ones, have a band like ours and commemorate this act of initiation and welcome. This is what these pictures are about, our own celebration last November with the welcome of one of our new members, in this case someone very close to me. This is our uniqueness.