The band, led by Juan Carlos Civera, achieved 369 points from the jury, chaired by orchestra conductor and composer Mercedes Padilla. Additionally, they were awarded the Musical Campos prize for the best interpretation of the compulsory piece, Reminiscencias by Josep Vicent Egea.
The First Section competition took place on Saturday afternoon at the Palau de la Música. The ensemble from Camp de Túria performed Second Symphony by Alfred Reed as their free choice piece, surpassing the Lira i Casino Carcaixentí Societat Musical i Recreativa and the Unió Musical de Bocairent. Both of these also received first prizes with 350.5 and 321 points, respectively, in a category for bands with 70 to 90 musicians.
“"The extremely high standard of the participants reflects the band potential of the province that we must convey to the whole world."
The competition commenced on Saturday morning with the Fourth Section, for societies of up to 40 musicians. The winner was the Agrupació Musical Sant Isidre with 349 points, earning them first prize and an honorable mention. This band, directed by Rafael Lasso, performed El Kraken by Hugo Chinesta as their free piece, triumphing over the Associació Música Jove de Benimaclet (273.5 points) and the Unión Musical San Roque de Villargordo del Cabriel (261.5 points), both of which received second prizes. Sant Isidre also won the Musical Campos prize for the best interpretation of the compulsory piece, Xerebulta by Gaspar Genovés Pitarch.
For Sunday, the Third Section (bands of 40 to 50 musicians) is scheduled, featuring the Agrupació Musical Santa Cecília d'Ador, the Unió Musical de Moncada, and the Unió Artística Musical de Vilamarxant. The afternoon will host the Second Section (bands of 50 to 70 musicians) with the Societat Unió Musical de Quartell, the Sociedad Instructiva del Obrero Agrícola Musical de Benimàmet, and the Associació Cultural ‘Tot per la Música’ d'Ontinyent. All performances can be followed live on the Diputación's YouTube channel.
