The 13th Menorca Brass Festival has come to an end after five days of concerts, classes and rehearsals in Es Mercadal and Fornells, from 26 to 30 June.
The festival
Organised by the cultural association Menorca Brass, with the support of the Consell de Menorca and Es Mercadal town council, the festival combines training for young musicians with public concerts.
Around 20 young brass players took part. Most were from Menorca, including Menorcan students studying music outside the island, and a few came from Catalonia. The festival’s director, Xavi Seguí, described the attendance, in line with recent years, as satisfactory.
The daily routine
- Mornings: individual lessons with specialist teachers.
- Afternoons: group sessions on technique and ensemble playing.
- Evenings: rehearsals of the repertoire for the final performances.
The teachers
The teaching staff included musicians from major orchestras:
- Antonio Jesús Lasheras, principal trumpet of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra;
- Severo Martínez, trombone with the Casa da Música Symphony Orchestra in Porto;
- Alfonso Cantó, trumpet with ADDA Simfònica in Alicante.
A special masterclass
On Sunday, the Valencian trumpeter Luis González gave a masterclass that drew great interest, sharing his experience on phrasing, breathing and stage presence.
Results on stage
The students formed trumpet ensembles and trumpet and trombone quartets, and presented their work in an open audition at the Es Mercadal music school on Monday, in front of families and friends.
The festival also included two concerts at Cas Contramestre, giving audiences the chance to hear both the teachers and the progress made by the students.
Why it matters
For young musicians on a small island, the chance to work closely with professionals from leading orchestras without having to travel is invaluable. Festivals like this one help keep Menorca’s strong tradition of bands and wind music alive, and connect island students with musicians and opportunities beyond Menorca.
