Music bands from Japan, Portugal and Spain will take part in the Villa de Altea International Competition.

The 37th Edition of the Villa de Altea Music Bands International Competition will use the occasion of the celebration of the "Polar Year" to dedicate its content to the issue of climate change. The event will take place on 29 and 30 November and the draw has taken place for participating bands and the international jury. The bands that are taking part from Japan, Portugal and Spain will interpret as compulsory pieces music composed by Rafael Talens and Joan Enric Canet.

As in previous editions, the competition is divided into two official sections: Symphony and First. In the First section, bands must interpret the piece 'POEMA POLAR' by Joan Enric Canet, and for the Symphony section the piece 'DESTRUCTURA CLIMATICA', by Rafael Talens.
Competing in the First section are: The Music and Recreation Association of Vilela (Portugal), the 'Union Musical Santa Cecilia de Villar del Arzobispo' (Valencia), the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band (Japan), and the Merza Artistic Band (Pontevedra).
Competing in the Symphony section are the 'Societat Ateneu Musical de Cullera' (Valencia) and the Union Musical Utielana (Valencia).
Presidents of the jury are Belgian composer Bert Appermont and Spaniards Mercedes Padilla and Leonardo Balada.

The Villa de Altea Music Bands International Competition has become a cultural, social and musical benchmark, not only in the Community of Valencia but also in Spain and Europe.