Our History

The Getafe Concert Band made its official debut in May 1984, on the occasion of our town’s patron festivities, as the Municipal Band of Getafe. From the very beginning, its founding conductor, Francisco Aguado Martí (professor at the Madrid Municipal Band), brought together local amateur musicians —many of them originally from nearby towns— with young students emerging from the newly created music school in the 1980s.

In 1992, the band became a non-profit association, thus losing its municipal status in name, although we have always counted on the essential support provided by the Getafe City Council. In June 2019, Maestro Aguado was appointed Honorary Conductor, in recognition of his dedication and tireless work promoting music in Getafe, after having led the band for 35 years. Following a selection process, in September of the same year, the ensemble appointed José Luis Bueno Cardeñosa as its new Artistic Director.

Over these years, José Luis has stood out as an exceptional professional whose commitment and devotion to our ensemble have been invaluable. Thanks to his relentless effort and dedication, the BMG has achieved a remarkable leap in sound quality and professionalization, consolidating its excellence and reputation. His contribution has undoubtedly been fundamental to our success.

Since its beginnings, the band’s main activity has focused on promoting and spreading music in Getafe, through a regular concert season. In addition, the BMG lends solemnity to various official and social events in the city. A regular season can be summarized as follows:

• Winter performances at the Federico García Lorca Theatre in Getafe. Inaugurated on May 29, 1998, it is the result of the restoration of what was once a Flour Factory, designed by the renowned architect José María Pérez González (better known as Peridis).
• During the summer season, we focus on open-air venues across Getafe —squares, parks, and other public spaces— and also perform outside our town, both within the Community of Madrid, across Spain, and occasionally internationally.
• Chamber concert cycles. Members of the BMG form temporary ensembles to perform in smaller venues around the city (such as the Espacio Mercado).
• Workshops featuring diverse activities centered on music, while also addressing topics such as technology, instrument maintenance, and psychology. The common goal is to foster education and shared experiences among our members.
• BMG1+ Program. A training project for young musicians, attracting participants from across the Community of Madrid to form, together with BMG members, an ad hoc symphonic band of over 80 musicians, aged between 11 and 18, for a short but intense musical experience.
• Masterclasses for our members who are active music students in advanced training cycles.
• Internal Soloist Competition “José Luis Lorente.” A tradition initiated by our founders that continues each season, supporting young musicians within our ensemble. The winner performs as a concert soloist with the band. This project honors the memory of one of our founding members.
• Band Conducting Courses, where young talents from across Spain gain experience under renowned national and international conductors. These courses include individual conducting sessions, rehearsals with the band, and often conclude with a public performance. Each year, the level of these courses rises, reflected both in the musicians’ learning and in the quality of the final concert.
• We also hold joint performances with other musical ensembles: national-level bands, conservatory groups, solo performers from various musical styles, and cultural formations from different artistic fields.

The BMG has participated in numerous national and international contests and concert cycles, among which the following stand out:

• Competitions in Campo de Criptana and Leganés, renowned nationally during the 1990s.
• 5th Concert Cycle organized by R.N.E. at the Palau de la Música de Valencia, recorded and released by RTVE in 2004.
• 2nd International Contest “Vila de la Sénia” (Tarragona, 2008) – Third Prize.
• International Band Contest of Valencia (2009) – Third Prize.
• Participation in the World Music Contest, Kerkrade (Netherlands), 2009.
• IV Mano a Mano with the Beethoven Philharmonic in Campo de Criptana, 2013.
• Participation in the MidEurope Schladming Festival, Austria, 2014.
• 43rd International Band Contest “Vila de Altea”, 2016.
• Lent Opening Concert, Cuenca, 2022.
• 136th International Band Contest “Ciutat de València”, 2024 – Second Prize, First Section.
• Wind CAM 2026, together with the Symphonic Band “La Lira de Pozuelo”, recorded by RTVE for its program “Los conciertos de La 2.”

We work to ensure that our band carries out, each season, a vibrant and prolific musical activity, always aiming to offer a high-quality artistic experience, sustained by four fundamental pillars:

1. Our Study Grant Program, which attracts students from both professional and higher-level music studies. Many remain with the band throughout their training years, raising the ensemble’s performance level through their academic and artistic growth.
2. Professional Members. The band is fortunate to include several professional musicians who either benefited from the study program and chose to stay with what they consider “their band,” or joined from other backgrounds, drawn by the challenge of performing in a group with a regular season, serious rehearsals, and a demanding repertoire. The work carried out in rehearsals and performances is nearly professional, allowing these musicians to maintain their skills —and, proudly, to become part of our musical family, contributing to the band’s artistic excellence.
3. Amateur Musicians. Many of our members are passionate amateurs who ended their formal studies at various stages —elementary, professional, or higher— but never lost their love for music. They have participated in different ensembles throughout their musical lives and form the foundation of the band. Their level continues to grow thanks to weekly study and dedication to our demanding repertoire. Many also volunteer in the management of the association. 
4. Finally, our Artistic Director, José Luis Bueno Cardeñosa, is undoubtedly the cornerstone of this entire project.