The well-known Spanish composer and arranger Juan Vicente Mas Quiles has always been closely associated with the renowned wind orchestra Banda Primitiva (El Clarin) from his birthplace Lliria near Valencia. Born on 25 January 1921, he played the flute in the orchestra as a boy and was later a member of the board. He was also often a guest conductor with various orchestras and until the end was still the first musical advisor of the local wind orchestra. On 25 October 2021, the celebrated composer passed away at the age of 100 in his hometown. (Source: Molenaar)
Under the direction of José Llopis, he began his musical training at the school of the Banda Primitiva de Liria, where he became first flutist at the age of eleven. He continued his education in Valencia at the Conservatory, studying harmony (with Maestro Sosa), piano (with Consuelo Lapiedra), counterpoint and fugue, composition, instrumentation and orchestration. In 1940 he graduated in flute and orchestral conducting. After his military service, he joined the 1st Infantry Division in Valencia as a musician in 1942. In January of the following year, he was transferred to Seville to conduct the band of the Soria No. 9 Regiment until August 1955, when he was transferred to the Valencia Region, where he conducted several military bands. From 1965 he combined his military duties with conducting the Orquesta Sinfónica de Valencia (until its dissolution in 1982) and conducting orchestras for lyrical performances (generally zarzuelas). He has also been a guest conductor with orchestras and bands in Valencia, Argentina, the United States, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. (Source: Wikipedia)