The 2027 International Music Bands Contest of València (CIBM) has announced the mandatory pieces that participating groups must perform in the First, Second, and Third Sections. The selection includes a commissioned work, a reference composition from the international band repertoire, and a creation linked to emerging generations of composers.
For the First Section, the mandatory piece will be ‘Sinfonietta of Light’ by Valencian composer Carlos Pellicer Andrés. This work was specifically commissioned by the CIBM organising committee and adapted in instrumentation and duration to suit the section's characteristics. It is a reworking of Pellicer's 2025 composition ‘Symphonia Luminosa’, now structured into three movements with a total duration of approximately 21 to 22 minutes. The concept of light in its various dimensions serves as the central theme of the composition.
The Second Section will feature ‘Poème du Feu’ by French composer Ida Gotkovsky, who passed away in 2025. This choice acknowledges her international influence and significant contributions to symphonic and instrumental repertoire, including original music for large bands. The piece, composed in two movements, draws inspiration from the symbolic and ancestral dimensions of fire.
Diego Gimeno's ‘FADE’ has been selected for the Third Section. This composition was chosen by the composition departments of the superior music conservatories in València, Castelló, and Alacant, highlighting emerging talent and fostering collaboration between the contest and higher music education institutions in the Valencian Community.
José Luis Moreno, the councillor for Cultural Action, Heritage, and Cultural Resources of the València City Council, emphasised the importance of the CIBM as a cultural reference for the city and a platform for promoting band music and musical creation. “The International Music Bands Contest of València is a fundamental event for our city's cultural life and a benchmark for the band world,” he stated.
Overview of selected works
First Section: Sinfonietta of Light
‘Sinfonietta of Light’ is structured in three movements: Refraction and Dance, Gloom, and Clarity. Carlos Pellicer Andrés, a composer, conductor, and educator, focuses primarily on symphonic music for bands. His works have been performed internationally and he has received numerous accolades.
Second Section: Poème du Feu
Ida Gotkovsky's ‘Poème du Feu’ explores the elemental and transformative power of fire through its movements, ‘Maestoso’ and ‘Prestissimo’. Gotkovsky, a prominent figure in contemporary music, was recognised with several prestigious awards throughout her career.
Third Section: FADE
‘FADE’ addresses the transient nature of sound, evolving continuously over approximately ten minutes without movement divisions. Diego Gimeno, born in 2004, has already garnered recognition for his compositions and continues his studies in orchestral conducting and composition.
Honour Section
The 2027 contest will also include ‘Las ruinas circulares’ by Valencian composer Francisco Coll as the mandatory work for the Honour Section, further emphasising contemporary creation in the competition.
Groups wishing to participate can register until 26 October 2026.
