Banda de Música del Col·legi Pare Manyanet

The creation of the Banda de Música del Col·legi Pare Manyanet goes all the way back to 1968, when they gave their first concert. The school set up the band with the aim of promoting the love of music and strengthening the global education of its students. New aspiring musicians join each year, who, after musical training, have the possibility of playing in the band. There are 30 positions for the musicians who range in age from 8 to 25.

Most of the band's concerts have been held in Barcelona and include highlights such as their performance in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. In 1993, as a member of the Federació Catalana de Societats Musicals, they organised the XII Trobada de Bandes de Música band meet, in which more than 30 associations participated. Away from the city of Barcelona, they have played in many locations in Catalonia, as well as giving concerts in the rest of the peninsula. They have also taken part in festivals in the UK, France, England, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the Banda de Música del Col·legi Pare Manyanet gave a concert in the Basilica of Montserrat. Five years later, for their 25th anniversary, they gave a special recital at the Monastery of Pedralbes, which was recorded for CD. Other highlights include two performances at the Palau de la Generalitat.

This musical institution has a special relationship with Rome. Their first visit was in 1971, when they were received by Pope Paul VI and played in St Peter's Basilica. Their second trip was in 1984, when they accompanied the pilgrimage to the Vatican to mark the beatification of Joseph Manyanet, the founder of the Congregació dels Fills de la Sagrada Família, to whom the school is dedicated. In 2001, the band was received by Pope John Paul II and gave two concerts: one in St Peter's Square in the Vatican and another in the Pantheon in Rome.