Javier Pérez Garrido composing European Overture. Portrait by Clara Ledo.
"One of the most outstanding musical personalities on the international stage." Europa Press.
Curriculum Vitae
Javier Pérez Garrido, a composer, professor, clarinetist, conductor, and researcher, has successfully completed advanced studies in several musical disciplines at the Conservatory of Music and the University of Murcia. In addition, he has expanded his training under the guidance of internationally renowned musicians, culminating his studies with distinction, earning a Doctorate "cum laude."
He has received more than 40 awards in national and international music competitions, including the “Vila de Muro” and “Ciudad de Murcia” International Composition Awards for Symphonic Band Music, the “Villa de Pozo Estrecho” International Composition Award, and the National Composition Award of Toledo. Following his first nomination for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2014, he has continued to earn recognition in the United States, including honours from the Akademia Music Awards in Los Angeles, medals at the Global Music Awards in California, and recognition at the Jerry Goldsmith Awards, among others. In 2024, he received the prestigious honor of being selected as a member of the Latin Grammy Academy, highlighting his dedication and excellence, and providing him with the opportunity to influence the international recognition and direction of Latin music.
As a composer, Pérez Garrido has a broad repertoire of over 150 published works through his own label, Pérez Garrido Music, as well as international publishers including Molenaar (Netherlands), Cimarron Music Press (USA), Egge Verlag (Germany), and Spanish publishers such as Brotons & Mercadal. He also receives commissions from musicians and institutions worldwide, including the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), International Trumpet Guild, European Union Youth Wind Orchestra, Tokyo Blas Orchester, Banda da Armada Portuguesa, Banda Sinfónica del C.I.M. "La Armónica" de Buñol, and the Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Alicante (Centenary), among others. His compositions are regularly performed across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and have been played in the presence of distinguished figures such as the President of Portugal and the Kings of Spain.
His music is featured on over 25 national and international recordings, including the album Obertura Heroica, recorded by the Music Unit of the Tercio de Levante of the Spanish Marine Infantry, which received recognition as Best Album and Best Composition at the Global Music Awards.
As a clarinetist, he has performed in major European concert halls with the Ostrava New Orchestra (Czech Republic, 2017), European Union Youth Wind Orchestra (as soloist in 2009 and 2011; also participating in 2013 premiering his European Overture), the Joven Orquesta Nacional de España (2007–2011), International FIOJ Orchestra (2007), and the Youth Orchestra of the Region of Murcia (2005–2008), among others. As a soloist, he has given numerous recitals, notably participating in Fifteen Minutes of Fame (New York), where he premiered 30 world premieres dedicated to him by composers from around the globe.
As a conductor, he has led a wide variety of orchestras, bands, and choirs, including the Music Unit of the Guardia Civil, Didsbury High School Symphonic Winds (Canada), Sociedad Unión Musical “Santa Cecilia” de Caudete, Camerata de Murcia, Banda de Música “Ciudad de Toledo”, Asociación Músico Cultural Julián Sánchez-Maroto de Manzanares, Sociedad Unión Musical de Ribarroja del Turia, Agrupación Musical "Maestro Martín Díaz" de Argamasilla de Alba, Orquesta Alter Musici, Asociación Musical “El Castillo” de Serón, Unión Musical de Serón, Coral Polifónica “Adolfo Vázquez” de Cartagena, and the Choir of the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País, among others.
As a researcher, he is notable for developing the first methodology in history for learning flamenco on the clarinet. He has also presented at the International Band Congress of the Spanish Society of Musicology, written articles for specialized journals, and delivered lectures for international organizations, including TEDx.
In the pedagogical field, Dr. Pérez Garrido currently serves as a Professor of Composition at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Murcia. Previously, he has taught at other prestigious institutions, including the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Navarra in Pamplona (2019–2024) and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, USA (2021–2022).
Awards
COMPOSER
-WINNER by II INTERNATIONAL COMPOSITION CONTEST OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC FOR BANDS 'CIUDAD DE MURCIA' (Spain, 2025)
-WINNER by VII INTERNATIONAL COMPOSITION CONTEST OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC FOR BANDS 'VILA DE MURO' (Spain, 2019)
-WINNER by the AKADEMIA MUSIC AWARDS, Los Ángeles (US, 2018)
-WINNER by PREMIO ADALID DE LA MÚSICA, Madrid (Spain, 2018)
-GOLD AND BRONCE MEDALS by GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS, California (US, 2014)
-NOMINATED to the HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARDS, Los Ángeles (US, 2014)
-NOMINATED to the IX JERRY GOLDSMITH AWARDS (2014)
-2 SILVER MEDALS by GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS, California (US, 2021)
-SILVER MEDAL by GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS, California (US, 2016)
-SILVER MEDAL by GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS, California (US, 2015)
-NOMINATED to the AKADEMIA MUSIC AWARDS, Los Ángeles (US, 2021)
-FIRST PRIZE by I Nacional Concert Band Composition Competition Ciudad de Toledo (2012)
-FIRST PRIZE and HONORABLE MENTION by XVI Nacional Concert Band Composition Competition Villa de Pozo Estrecho (Spain, 2008)
-THIRD PRIZE by IV Nacional Concert Band Composition Competition San Pedro del Pinatar (Spain, 2013)
-FIFTH PRIZE by International Symphonic Concert Band Composition Competition "Adolf Ventas", Amposta (2006)
-FIRST HONORABLE MENTION by II International Brass Ensemble Composition Competition Isla Verde (Argentina, 2012)
-HONORABLE MENTION by National Composition Competition Manuel Carrascosa from Buñol, Valencia (2013)
-FIRST HONORABLE MENTION by III Nacional Concert Band Composition Competition Ciudad de Toledo (2014)
-SELECTED by Fifteen Minutes for Fame to premiere his composition "0:51, Op.51" in New York City (US, 2012)
CONCERT BAND
-FIRST PRIZE and HONORABLE MENTION by CXVI International Band Music Competition "Ciudad de Valencia", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2002)
-FIRST PRIZE and HONORABLE MENTION by III International Band Music Competition "Villa de Aranda", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2002)
-FIRST PRIZE by II National Band Music Competition "Acordes Caja Madrid", Spain. (Banda Sinfónica del Conservatorio Superior de Murcia, 2008)
-FIRST PRIZES by National Band Music Competition "Ciudad de Murcia" -VII, IX and XIV Editions-, Spain.(Agrupación Musical Sauces, 1997, 1999 y 2004)
-FIRST PRIZE by XXVIII National Band Music Competition "Campo de Criptana", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2002)
-FIRST PRIZE by XII National Band Music Competition "Ciudad de Leganés", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2002)
-SECOND PRIZE by XXXII International Band Music Competition "Villa de Altea", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2003)
-THIRD PRIZE by CXXIV International Band Music Competition "Ciudad de Valencia", Spain. (Agrupación Musical Sauces, 2010)
-HONORABLE MENTION by I National Band Music Competition "Acordes Caja Madrid", Spain. (Banda Sinfónica del Conservatorio Superior de Murcia, 2007)
CLARINET -soloist-
-FIRST PRIZE by VII Regional Competition for Young Musicians Entre Cuerdas y Metales (Spain, 2004)
-FINALIST by XVI National Competition for Young Musicians Ruperto Chapí (Spain, 2003)
CHAMBER MUSIC
-FINALIST by II National Chamber Music Competition "Acordes Caja Madrid", Madrid (Athenea Trio. Spain, 2008)
HONOURS
-BROTHER OF HONOR of the Agrupación de la Santísima Virgen del Amor Hermoso for composing the march "Amor Hermoso", Cartagena (Spain, 2021)
-SILVER MEDAL in recognition to his musical career, Serón (Spain, 2008)
-FINALIST by Entre Cuerdas y Metales Special Award in recognition to his musical career, Cartagena (Spain, 2017)
Commissions
Agrupación Musical de Sepúlveda(SPAIN)
Víctor Barrio
Andrés Pérez Bernabé, Orchestral and Band Conductor (SPAIN)
An Irish Dream
Angel Marín Matute, Choir Conductor (SPAIN)
Salmo nº149
Angel Serrano, Trumpetist (SPAIN)
Divertimento, Op.25
Antonio Sanchís Gandía, Trumpetist(SPAIN)
Ilusión
Arno Piters, Clarinetist (THE NETHERLANDS)
Quinteto nº1, Op.19
Artem Keschabyan, Violinist (ARMENIA/SPAIN)
Preludios Sinestésicos, Op.32
Banda da Armada Portuguesa - For Celebrating Navy Day (PORTUGAL)
Heroic Overture, Op.26a
Asociación Musical “El Castillo” de Serón Concert Band (SPAIN)
Asociación Musical "El Castillo", Op.24
C.I.M. "La Armónica" de Buñol Symphonic Band - WASBE Conference, 2019(SPAIN)
Last Day of the Dinosaurs, Op.63
Sinfónica Municipal de Alicante Concert Band - For Celebrating their First Centennial (SPAIN)
Fanfarria, Op.50
Primitiva de Pozo Cañada Concert Band (SPAIN)
Arrangement. Concierto para flautín y banda RV443 de Vivaldi
Cartagena City Hall(SPAIN)
El Submarino Peral
Christ's Church Academy Symphony Band(FLORIDA, US)
Fandango in Florida!
Ciclo de Jóvenes Solistas de la Alberca 2010 (SPAIN)
Preludios Sinestésicos, Op.32
City of Music in Pamplona - For Celebrating their 10th Anniversary (SPAIN)
Dawn of a New Horizon, Op.62
Vert Clarinet Quartet (SPAIN)
Cuarteto nº1, Op.53 "Trágico"
Didsbury High School Symphonic Winds (CANADA)
A trip to Spain
EUROPEAN UNION YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA (EUYWO) - TOUR 2013 (LUXEMBOURG-THE NETHERLANDS)
European Overture, Op.42
La Noche de los Museos and Mucho Más Mayo Festivals 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 from Cartagena (SPAIN)
Banda Sonora de "A Ciegas"
Banda Sonora de "Reflejos"
Medusa, Op.30
Sonatango, Op.39
Tango Suite, Op.36
Tres Tristes Tangos, Op.41
Ginés Aznar, Saxofonist (SPAIN)
Bajo el Viento Azul, Op.20e
Grupo Teatral “Ditirambo” from Cartagena (SPAIN)
Marcha del Ditirambo
INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD - Grand Valley State University - Seminar 2013 (MICHIGAN, US)
Concertino de los Filabres, Op.54
Irene Sualdin, Harpist (ITALY)
Canciones Modales, Op.38
Isabel María Rubio Molina, Orchestral and Band Conductor (SPAIN)
Urban Concert, Op.60
Jan Cober, Orchestral and Band Conductor (THE NETHERLANDS)
European Overture, Op.42
Joaquín Asiain, Tenor - Costa Rica Tour 2012 (SPAIN/GERMANY)
Arreglo. Canto a la Espada Toledana de Jacinto Guerrero
Arreglo. Ay, Ay, Ay de Pérez Freire
Arreglo. Caña Dulce de Daniel Zuñiga
José Chafer, Trompetist (SPAIN)
Concertino de los Filabres, Op.54
Jose Vicente Díaz, Orchestral and Band Conductor (SPAIN)
Fanfarria, Op.50
Kirk Wassmer, Orchestral and Band Conductor (CANADA)
A trip to Spain
Lee Ponder, Orchestral and Band Conductor (FLORIDA, US)
Fandango in Florida!
Málaga Tuba Quartet - Italy Tour 2012 (SPAIN)
Fantasía Andaluza, Op.47
Manuel Pedrera, Oboist (SPAIN)
Suite
Manuel Pujante, Lyricist (SPAIN)
El Faro y la Mar, Op.58
María Alzallú, Flautist (SPAIN)
Bajo el Viento Azul, Op.20
Arreglo. Concierto para piccolo y banda RV443 de Vivaldi
María Loreto Lledó, Clarinetist (SPAIN)
Bajo el Viento Azul, Op.20a
Museo de las Bellas Artes de Murcia “MUBAM” (SPAIN)
Tres danzas, Op.37
Nigel Wood, Saxofonist (UNITED KINGDOM)
Work in progress
Numskull International Competition (SPAIN)
Rocking trombone!
Murcia Youth Orchestra “OJRM” (SPAIN)
Escenas Diabólicas, Op.29
Obertura Heroica, Op.26
Rubén García, Oboist (SPAIN)
Bajo el Viento Azul, Op.20b
Stanimir Todorov, Violonchelist (BULGARIA)
Sonata nº1, Op.28
Stephanie Schwartz, Oboist (GERMANY)
Tres piezas, Op.43
Thorwald Jorgensen, Thereminist (THE NETHERLANDS)
Pequeña Pieza, Op.2a
Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena “UPCT” (SPAIN)
Himno Quirón UPCT
Vox Novus Fifteen Minutes of Fame 2012 (NEW YORK, US)
0:51, Op.51
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF SYMPHONIC BANDS AND ENSEMBLES, WASBE (US)
Last Day of the Dinosaurs, Op.63
