The Polyphonic group of Xàbia, ARS NOVA resumes its activity and does so in the hands of the young man from Huelva, Rubén Penadés, who assumes the position of director. With him a new and exciting stage in the choral group opens.
In general terms, the objective of Penadés will be to explore all the languages of the choir, from Renaissance music to contemporary music. All this, arranged in a way that is as attractive and pragmatic as possible for the choir. In the words of the same maestro, "making contemporary music can be just as fun for people more into the language, as it is for people who aren't."
For his concert programs Penadés has it clear: quality works, well written and with correct treatment of the voices. Likewise, he is already thinking of larger-scale projects in the long term, such as recording a CD, for example, and that can be an important injection of energy for the group. On the other hand, it shows its willingness to collaborate with other local groups.
Even so, in the short term Penadés thinks about the connection with the choir, and being, together, all participants in ARS NOVA. In fact, the first impressions have been very positive, since he confesses that he has been enthusiastic and, despite the fact that he knew the choir and had previously thought of doing some collaboration, from ARS NOVA he has been surprised by the good treatment received, the understanding of such a disparate group (ages, nationalities, etc.), as well as the musical and vocal quality of the choir.
The new director also wants to encourage all those who have been part of the group, as well as those who want to join: "everyone can sing!".
Ruben Penades
Born in Ontinyent (Valencia) in 1996, Penadés began his studies specializing in percussion. But, it will be at the 'Óscar Esplá' Superior Conservatory of Music in Alicante, where he opts for the specialty of composition; graduating in 2018.
As a composer, he has a catalog of around fifty pieces, which have been performed and premiered by various formations such as the Municipal Band of Alicante or the musical formations of the Superior Conservatories of Valencia and Alicante, among others. Likewise, his works have been heard at various festivals, concert cycles and contests. In addition, he has been awarded several prizes in the “Poble de Muro” Composition Contest for dulzaina and percussion in the 2013, 2015 and 2020 editions; as well as the recent first prize obtained in the 'Pep el Carreró' Composition Contest for the musicalization of the poem Autopoesía.
Currently, he is finishing his higher studies in Choir and Orchestra conducting at the "Joaquín Rodrigo" Superior Conservatory of Music in Valencia; work that he combines with teaching at the "Ciutat Ducal" Professional Music Center in Gandía, in the specialties of Harmony, Analysis and Foundations of Composition In addition, since 2019 he has been the deputy director of the Musical Artistic Union Society of Ontinyent, and recently, he has been appointed director of the "Nueva Artística" Musical Society of Anna.
