Schedule

Day 1

July 7th

Sunday

elementary school of Merza

ROYAL GALICIAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The Royal Galician Philharmonic Orchestra was born as an ambitious cultural project in Santiago de Compostela in 1996. Formed by 50 musicians and an administrative team of 6 people, it has its permanent headquarters at the Auditorio de Galicia. Baldur Brönnimann has been the titular and artistic director of the formation since January 2023, and Maximino Zumalave is its associate director. In 2020, Joana Carneiro joined as the principal guest conductor. The objectives of the RFG focus on spreading classical music throughout the Galician territory, seeking the highest levels of artistic excellence through collaboration with top-level conductors and instrumentalists, and with a strong commitment to stimulating talent and musical education for children and young people. Currently, the Royal Galician Philharmonic Orchestra is established as one of the most important and recognized musical initiatives in Galicia, committed to seeking synergies with other cultural institutions at regional, national, and international levels, and promoting Galician culture beyond our territory.

Ferdinand David: Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra Op.4 (Soloist: Brian Wendel)

Richard Strauss: Concerto for Horn n.º 1 in E flat major, op. 11 (Soloist: László Gál)

Dorothy Gates: Servant of Peace: Concerto for trombone and chamber orchestra (Soloist: Louise Pollock)

Day 2

July 8th

Monday

elementary school of merza

Chicago Brass Quintet

The Chicago Brass Quintet boasts some of the most prominent and renowned brass musicians of recent decades among its ranks. It was founded with the ambition of highlighting all the musical literature written for this type of ensemble, offering demanding compositions to music lovers with an exceptional level of perfection. Its members have extensive artistic experience in the world’s most important orchestras and are frequently sought after to perform as soloists alongside the most prestigious conductors worldwide.

The quintet is composed of trumpeters Esteban Batallán and John Hangstrom, horn player David Griffin, trombonist Michael Mulcahy, and tuba player Gene Pokorny.

Day 3

July 9TH

Tuesday

Merza´s Elementary School

ADAM RAPA

Adam Rapa is an American trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator. He is a versatile musician who excels in jazz, funk, pop, as well as classical and contemporary music. Rapa was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He began studying trumpet at the age of 11 and was playing professionally by the age of 13, leading many of the big bands at Berklee College of Music by the age of 16.

At just 18 years old, he was invited to perform at jazz clubs in Boston and New York, as well as numerous jazz festivals across the United States. He has also been invited to perform at festivals such as the Vienna Jazz Festival and the Riverboat Jazz Festival, among others. Adam Rapa performs concerts worldwide, often as a soloist or with a jazz band, and also serves as a teacher for masterclasses, workshops, or university classes.

Day 4

july 10TH

wednesday

elementary school of Merza

KÁUSTIKA

The Fanfarra Káustika, founded by the constant desire to reinvent and innovate, is a collective of musicians who are personally and musically connected through their longstanding relationship with Portuguese brass bands. The project took shape in 2007 when, inspired by the visit of the group “Fanfare Ciocarlia” to Portugal, FK reinterpreted some of their songs. The success of this performance allowed them to see the potential of the project from a broader perspective. In the following two years, the group performed over 60 times in Portugal at numerous festivals, street shows, and other events. With the recording of “Transe Sinfónico” (2015, self-edition), the group aims to strengthen its artistic presence nationally and expand further internationally.

Day 5

July 11th

Thursday

elementary school of merza

Galaico Brass Ensemble

The Galaico Brass Ensemble is composed of several musicians from the nearly two-hundred-years-old Banda Artística de Merza and other teachers and collaborators from the Galaico Brass Festival. The intention of the Galaico Brass Ensemble is to offer a concert in which the main course instructors actively participate as soloists, performing different pieces from the extensive brass repertoire, or as composers, thus culminating a week of unique experiences.

Day 6

july 12TH

friday

elementary school of merza

BANDA ARTÍSTICA DE MERZA & SOLISTAS

Founded in 1828, the Banda Artística de Merza is the oldest popular music group in Galicia. It has performed throughout Galicia, bringing its music to major venues such as the Auditorio de Galicia, the Palacio de la Ópera, the Auditorio Municipal de Ourense, and the Pazo da Cultura, among others. The band has also performed in Asturias (Teatro Filarmónico de Oviedo), Valencia (Palau de la Música), Cantabria, Catalonia, Madrid (Teatros del Canal), as well as in Portugal (Casa da Música in Porto) and Italy. Additionally, they have toured Venezuela in 1982 and 1992, and Argentina in 2000. In 2009, they participated in the W.M.C. (World Music Contest) in Kerkrade, being the first Galician band to compete in such a prestigious event.

Currently, the Banda Artística de Merza has numerous national and international awards and has over 100 federated musicians, many of whom are professionals. It is considered one of the best and most attractive music bands in the Autonomous Community of Galicia and since February 2020 it is directed by maestro Mateo Gómez Naval.

Soloists for this performance will include Mauro Martins (International Soloist), Jeroen Berwaerts (Trumpet from NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester), Jose Martínez (Spain National Orchestra).