Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona facts for kids
The Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona is a special school in Barcelona, Spain, where students learn all about music. It's owned by the Barcelona City Hall, which is like the city's government.
Contents
History of the Conservatory
How the Music School Began
The Conservatory started way back in 1886. It was created by the Municipal Band of Barcelona as a music school. The main idea was to train new musicians for the band. Other cities that had their own bands also had similar schools because they needed to teach their musicians.
Early Directors and Changes
The first director of the school was Josep Rodoreda. Then, in 1896, Antoni Nicolau took over. Later, in 1911, a new role was created: assistant director. Enric Morera was the first person to hold this job until 1935.
In 1930, when a new director was needed for the band, Lluís Millet was chosen. He was a more traditional choice and was preferred by the Barcelona City Hall. His selection caused some discussion at the time.
In 1928, the Conservatory moved into its own building. This building is located at the corner of Bruc and València streets.
Becoming a Conservatory
Lluís Millet left his position in 1939, when the Spanish Civil War ended. The next year, Joan Baptista Lambert became the director and stayed until 1945. During his time, the institution changed from just a music school into a full conservatory. This meant it offered more advanced and complete music education.
In 1945, a new plan for studies was introduced. This plan was based on a rule from 1942 that made music studies similar in all conservatories across Spain.
Growth and New Ideas
After Lambert passed away, Joaquim Zamacois became the new director in 1945 and served until 1965. During his time, the Conservatory connected with other music schools in Europe. Important musicians from all over Europe were invited to visit and share their knowledge. A new department for ancient music was also started. This was also when the Barcelona Music Museum was created.
In 1952, Joan Pich i Santasusana was appointed assistant director. He later became the official assistant director until 1977. As Spain became more democratic, big efforts were made to modernize the Conservatory. They also worked to spread music education around the city, as it was the only public music school at the time.
During Pich's time, a new study plan was introduced in 1966. This plan guided professional music education for about forty years. To help students perform concerts, an auditorium was planned. Xavier Turull, who became director in 1977, officially opened this auditorium. During Turull's time, the student orchestra, led by Edmon Colomer, became very stable. The Music Museum also moved to a new location, and the first steps were taken to create the Conservatory's own Library.
Turull resigned in 1982 because of disagreements with the City Hall. After him, Maria Cateura and then Marçal Gols became directors. Gols made important changes, like spreading the institution's activities to different places and encouraging more students to learn string instruments. However, not everyone understood these changes, and he also resigned. Pilar Figueras and then Francesca Ruiz (from 1988 to 1997) and Carme Vilà followed him as directors.
Modern Times
In 2001, the Education Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya opened a new school called the Superior School of Music of Catalonia (ESMuC). Because of this, the Municipal Superior Conservatory of Music of Barcelona stopped teaching the highest level of music studies. It then changed its name to reflect this. Many teachers from the Conservatory also started teaching at the new ESMuC.
Since then, the Conservatory has adjusted to this new situation. It now works as part of the Municipal Institute of Education of Barcelona. Many other municipal music schools have also been created in Barcelona as a result.
Notable Alumni
- Adelaida Ferré Gomis (1881-1955), a historian, teacher, lacemaker, embroiderer, and folklorist.
Notable Teachers
- Conxita Badia i Millàs
- Antoni Besses i Bonet
- Miquel Farré i Mallofré
- Francesc Xavier Joaquín Planes
- Joan Massià i Prats
- Manuel Oltra i Ferrer
- Eduard Toldrà i Soler
- Montserrat Torrent i Serra
- Joan Dotras i Vila
See also
In Spanish: Conservatorio Municipal de Música de Barcelona para niños
