The Symphonic Band of the Villa de Bullas Musical Association to Perform Javier Pérez Garrido’s Heroic Overture at its Special Saint Cecilia Concert

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The Symphonic Band of the Villa de Bullas Musical Association will include Obertura Heroica, Op. 26a, by composer Javier Pérez Garrido, in its special concert celebrating Saint Cecilia. The performance will take place on 22 November at 12:00 p.m. at the Almazara de Bullas, under the baton of Víctor Rodrigo.

Obertura Heroica is a work for symphonic band that pays tribute to perseverance, the greatness of the human spirit and the ability to achieve our most ambitious dreams. Featuring a distinctly cinematic sound, the composition takes listeners on a musical journey full of contrasts, combining passages of great power and heroic character with moments of lyricism, sensitivity and expressive depth. It was premiered on 20 May 2016 in Lisbon by the Portuguese Navy Band (Banda da Armada Portuguesa), conducted by Délio Gonçalves, as part of the Portuguese Navy Day celebrations.

Founded in February 1998, the Villa de Bullas Musical Association has built an outstanding artistic and cultural track record, establishing itself as one of the leading wind band ensembles in the Region of Murcia. Over the years, it has participated in major national and international competitions, receiving awards including third prize at the 2009 Ciudad de Murcia National Band Competition, second prize in the 2016 edition, and first prize at the 2017 Murcia Regional Band Competition. More recently, the ensemble once again secured first prize at the 12th edition of this regional competition, held in Alcantarilla on 7 March 2026. Its artistic activities also include collaborations with renowned musicians and conductors, alongside a strong commitment to music education through its Youth Band, Children's Band and Choir.

The ensemble is led by Víctor Rodrigo, a musician, educator and conductor with an extensive professional background. He holds an advanced degree in Trumpet from the Higher Conservatory of Music of Murcia and has also specialised in wind band conducting. His performing career includes collaborations with ensembles such as the Murcia Youth Orchestra, the Valencian Baroque Orchestra and the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra. He has been conducting the Symphonic Band of Bullas since 2006, achieving significant recognition at regional and national competitions. Since 2015, he has also conducted the Caravaca de la Cruz Wind Band, with which he has achieved notable results in band competitions.

For Javier Pérez Garrido, every new performance of his compositions represents an opportunity for his music to grow, reach new ensembles and connect with different audiences. On this occasion, Obertura Heroica will come to Bullas in the hands of an ensemble with an established artistic reputation and under the direction of a musician with first-hand knowledge of the symphonic band repertoire.

The celebration of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, will provide the perfect setting for this meeting between contemporary composition and the band tradition. It promises to be an opportunity for audiences to experience the power, emotion and evocative character of a work conceived to celebrate perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.