Asociation Orfeó Català
The Orfeó Català Association is a non-profit association founded more than 125 years ago that is based at the Palau de la Música Catalana and represents one of the main drivers of Catalan choral culture and tradition. The Association has its origins in the vocational choir founded on September 6, 1891 by Lluís Millet and Amadeu Vives who were the promoters of the construction and are the owners of the Palau de la Música Catalana building.
Mission
The Orfeó Català Association aims, in accordance with its tradition, to promote Catalan culture, especially in the musical aspect and with preferential attention to choral music. The Association develops its objectives through the Fundació Orfeó Català- Palau de la Música Catalana, which concentrates the management of all the activities of the choirs of the Orfeó and the Palau de la Música Catalana. The Presidency of the Foundation is occupied by the same Presidency of the Association.
The Association is governed by its statutes, by the agreements of the General Assembly of Members, which is the sovereign body through which the will of the members is expressed, and by the decisions of the Board of Directors, which assumes the representation and the Association's government.
The Board of Directors ensures the achievement of the objectives of the Strategic Plan of the Foundation and, consequently, generates the initiatives it considers appropriate and supports the executive positions of the Entity aimed at the fulfillment of the commitments expressed therein, on these objectives and also on other circumstantial issues in the life of the Orfeó and the management of its heritage.
The Catalan Orfeó is one of the main drivers of Catalan choral culture and tradition
The Orfeó Català promoted the construction of and owns the Palau de la Música Catalana building, built between 1905 and 1908 by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and financed with public funds. The Palau de la Música Catalana is an architectural jewel of Catalan Modernism, the only concert hall declared World Heritage by UNESCO (4 December 1997), which is currently an essential meeting point for Catalonia’s musical and cultural life. The Orfeó Català and the Palau represent the symbolic and sentimental heritage of an entire people who identify with their history.
The Associació Orfeó Català traditionally aims to promote Catalan culture, particularly in the musical sphere and with a focus on choral music. The Association develops its objectives through the Fundació Orfeó Català-Palau de la Música Catalana, which concentrates the management of all the activity of the choirs of the Orfeó and the Palau de la Música Catalana. The Chairwoman of the Associació is also the Chairwoman of the Association.
The Association is governed by its bylaws, by the resolutions of the General Assembly of Members, which is the sovereign body through which the members’ wishes are expressed, and by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, which assumes the representation and governance of the Association.
Governing bodies
The Associació Orfeó Català is governed by the stipulations of its statutes, by the decisions of the General Meeting of Members and by the decisions of the Executive Committee, currently presided over by Mr. Joaquim Uriach.
The representation and governance of the Associació Orfeó Català is assumed by the Board of Directors, which is constituted by: a chairperson, first deputy chairperson, second deputy chairperson, third deputy chairperson, first secretary, second secretary, treasurer, archivist-librarian and a maximum of ten members.
Additionally, there are four members who are chosen by singer members of the Orfeó Català, one of whom occupies the role of third deputy chairperson. With the exception of those designated by singer members, the holders of these offices are elected by the members following the procedure established in the Association’s bylaws. The Board of Directors meets at least six times during the year in ordinary session and may meet in extraordinary session called by the Chairman/woman or at the request of half plus one of its members.
The Board of Directors oversees the achievement of the objectives of the Foundation’s Strategic Plan and, consequently, develops the initiatives it considers relevant and provides support to the entity’s executives so they may fulfil the commitments established therein, in relation to these objectives and also to other circumstantial matters in the life of the Orfeó and the management of its assets.
Board of Directors
Junta Directiva columna 1
President
Joaquim Uriach Torelló
First Vice President
Eugenia Bieto Caubet
Second Vice President
Lluís Domènech Girbau
Third Vice President
Guillem Gascón i Picallo (Singer vocal)
First Secretary
Joan Vallvé Ribera
Second Secretary
Jordi Cabré Trias
Treasurer
Ignacio Garcia-Nieto Portabella
Archivist-librarian
Jaume Martí Llobet
President of the Artistic Commission
Albert Guinovart Mingacho
Junta Directiva columna 2
Vocals
Mar Calvet Francesch
Xavier Garcia-Moll Marimón
Mar Giné Guix
Eulàlia Planes Cots
Emili Ros Fàbregas
Mireia Tomàs Carulla
Gloria Vicens Hernández
Paula Gelpí Forcada
Singer Vocals
Mireia Carmona i Sanz
Andreu Edo Cots
Anna Faz Florensa
Guests with voice but no vote
Joan Oller Cuartero, Managing Director
Jaume Marfà Badaroux, advocate
Comissió de Compliment i Governança