From 10 to 16 August, the sound of choirs, guitars, pianos and voices will fill the Alfa & Omega Centre in Dènia, a coastal city near Alicante, Spain.

The city is hosting the 50th Music and Worship Week (SMA), an event that, since 1975, has brought together Christian musicians from all over Spain and other countries in a programme that combines training, art and spirituality.

Organised by the Evangelical Baptist Union of Spain with the support of the Alfa & Omega Centre and the Evangelical Baptist Church of Dénia, the SMA continues to be a meeting place for those who wish to improve their musical skills and deepen their spiritual understanding of Christian music in today's churches, both in Spain and internationally.

Special programme for a historic anniversary

Laura Monge de Silva, who has been directing the event for the last 3 years, has worked with a team of collaborators to prepare a programme specially designed to commemorate this historic edition.

“It is exciting and encouraging to see how the SMA continues and how new generations, most of the participants, join us year after year”, says Monge.

Workshops, masterclasses, musical combos and social activities mark the week, which will feature the participation of Pastor Samua Calderón as a special guest, originally from Cuba and living in Texas (United States).

“The world needs to discover the cultural treasures and spiritual riches of Spain, and Denia occupies a privileged place on that podium. From the majestic protection of Montgó mountains, to the unmistakable taste of the sea and the deep commitment to the Valencian land, everything in Dènia sings of its essence. Come on, Dènia! Keep raising your spirit!”, said Samua.

Half a century of music in the city

Since its inception, the SMA has gone beyond the walls of the Alfa & Omega Centre to bring concerts to emblematic venues in the coastal city.

These concerts seek not only to showcase the artistic quality of the musicians, but also the spirit of fraternity and worship that characterises the event.

Renowned guests such as Lole Montoya, Juan Luis Guerra and Francesca Patiño have graced its stages, leaving their mark on the history of the SMA.

Looking back in gratitude

On this 50th anniversary, the organisation pays tribute to all the directors who have made it possible for the SMA to continue growing. The driving forces behind it, Errol Simmons, Pere Puig and José Mefford, together with Brenda Lee, Miguel González, Nuria Puig, Elías Cortés, Josep Laporta, Pau Grau, Sergio Martín, Pau Llorens, Débora Tasqué, Esteban Ramón and the current director, Laura Monge.

“It is motivating to see that over the last fifty years there has been a very positive evolution in musical quality, in the contextualisation of the melodies and, above all, in the spiritual commitment of the participants, who are consistent with what they express”, says Jorge Pastor-Mut, a Baptist pastor of the region who has been present since the first edition.

Music for all audiences

Every night of the SMA, musical evenings with a variety of styles are held, designed for all audiences. This year, Juan Marcos Sánchez (Madrid), the musical group of the Church of Dénia and the Gloria Choir of Valencia will be participating.

The closing of this special edition will feature two open events. On Saturday 16 August, at 10 pm, there will be a free musical performance with all the participants in the chapel of the Alfa & Omega Centre. On Sunday 17 August, at 11:30 am, there will be a Sunday celebration with a sermon by Pastor Samua Calderón.

With half a century of history, the Dènia Music and Worship Week “looks to the future with a commitment to continue training musicians and worshippers who will inspire future generations,’ say the organisers”.