Frederic Santamaria set about recreating the Ministrils Ciutat de Gandia in 2007. He was enthusiastic to create a shawm band to perform early music, specifically that of the Renaissance period. He recruited mainly from members of the Assiciation of Dulcians and Tabors of the Safor region of Spain.
The next problem was to find appropriate instrument makers and acquire hand-crafted Renaissance instruments. After this first step, he began the search for tunes appropriate for these instruments and this era. After these were achieved, it was on with rehearsals.
With three soprano, one alto and one tenor shawms, plus two percussionists, the ensemble began its travels and performances. In 2007, the first performance was at the Ducal Palace of the Borja, for the award of a literary prize of the City of Gandia.
In 2008, the Ministrils played at the Gandia Fair in Holy Week accompanying the Borja family, and also for the “Joanot Martoreli” literary awards.
In 2009, the ensemble was augmented by the addition of a cornett and a sackbut, other wind instruments typical of the Renaissance period., providing a wider sound spectrum.
During 2010, with the 500th anniversary of the birth of Francisco de Borgia, the City of Gandia employed the ensemble to perform at a series of commemorative events throughout the year, both processions (cabalgatas) and concerts. Also, at Easter the group accompanied the Brotherhood of the Holy Ecce Homo of Gandia in their Via Crucis procession.
Members of the Ensemble de Ministrils are:
Jose Maria Bataller – spranino and soprano shawm
Joan Grau – soprano shawm
Andres Puig – soprano shawm
Frederic Santamaria – alto shawm
Miquel Ruiz – tenor shawm
Mayte Sanz – sackbut
Alexis Plana – cornett
Jose Basset – percussion
Eduardo Morant - percussion