Vibrato String Quartet UA and Maestoso Brass Society, a rice quintet, are ensembles formed from musicians within the University of Alicante Philharmonic Orchestra. The projects began as a strategic move to broaden the scope of the orchestra’s performances and diversify the artistic offerings under a single umbrella. These two chamber groups operate under the umbrella of OFUA, supported by Vectalia, and highlight the university’s commitment to cultivating high-caliber chamber music.
During a morning ceremony, the University of Alicante and Vectalia formalized a cooperation agreement aimed at advancing OFUA’s music initiative by establishing two intimate-format ensembles that will stage chamber performances in smaller venues. The agreement was announced by Amparo Navarro, president of the University of Alicante and the UA General Foundation, and Anthony Arias, Vectalia’s vice president and CEO. The company agreed to sponsor the two new formations and provide resources for their development.
Navarro commented that OFUA represents a distinctive music venture for the University of Alicante. While the university’s full orchestra can deliver performances of exceptional magnitude, such shows often require specific conditions and large venues, which can limit reach. The collaboration with Vectalia opens opportunities for smaller, more flexible presentations that bring the orchestra’s music to a broader audience. This initiative aims to expand the orchestra’s versatility and accessibility through carefully curated, small-format concerts.
The partnership also envisions four annual concerts, with the new ensembles taking prominent roles in different locales to spotlight the talents of their members. The financial support from Vectalia will cover training and development for the musicians, including instruction from esteemed specialists in strings and winds, enabling performers to sharpen technique and interpretive skill.
Spring concerts of the University of Alicante Philharmonic Orchestra
Antonio Arias, vice president and CEO of Vectalia, stated that the collaboration with the University of Alicante Philharmonic Orchestra traces back to 2013 and remains a core part of the company’s outreach to music education. He emphasized that the newly formed chamber groups will help disseminate classical music to a wider public and create more pathways for young talent to develop. The collaboration aims to empower rising musicians and provide them with significant performance opportunities.
The brass quintet Maestoso Brass Society is slated to make its debut and official presentation at the start of July, possibly at Santa Bárbara Castle, in conjunction with the opening of the Rafael Altamira Summer Courses at the University of Alicante. The event is envisioned as a celebration of young musical promise and a platform to showcase emerging artistry in a historic setting.
In total, the agreement encompasses four concerts across different seasons—summer, autumn, winter of 2022, and spring of 2023—featuring the two new formations alongside the ongoing activities of OFUA. The arrangement underscores a shared goal: to enrich the cultural fabric of the university and its surrounding community by delivering compelling, high-quality chamber music in accessible formats and venues. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to support music education and professional development for young performers who are shaping the future of classical performance. (Citation: University of Alicante press release)