Summary
- Torrevieja City council is finalizing administrative steps to move the Professional Music Conservatory “Francisco Casanovas” to a new 3,700+ m² building near Auditorio Internacional and Quirón Hospital in La Hoya.
- The new location was originally built for an international conservatory but never used; expected opening is January 2026.
- The conservatory will be renamed ”Conservatorio de Música Conchita Boj” and will maintain its 16 instrumental specialties with potential for expansion.
- More than 300 students and 20 teachers currently attend; transportation plans are being developed due to the new site’s distance from downtown.
- The vacated old premises in the city center will be repurposed for various local cultural and musical groups.
Torrevieja Plans Major Upgrade for Its Professional Music Conservatory
The Torrevieja city council is preparing to relocate the well-known Professional Music Conservatory ”Francisco Casanovas” to a spacious, modern facility situated next to the Auditorio Internacional and the private hospital Quirón in the la hoya district. This move marks a significant modernization effort to provide better educational infrastructure for music students in the city.
New Home for the Conservatory
The new conservatory building,offering over 3,700 square meters of space,was constructed about 15 years ago by the Generalitat Valenciana with the aspiring plan to create an international music conservatory. However, that plan never came to fruition, and the building remained unused for its originally intended purpose - until now.
According to Antonio Quesada, Torrevieja’s Culture Councillor, the facilities are expected to be ready by January 2026. The relocation process will be treated as a “new creation” from an administrative standpoint, even tho it essentially involves the transfer of the existing conservatory’s teaching activities, instrumentation specialities, and staff.
Renaming the Conservatory
With the move, the conservatory will take on a new name: Conservatorio de Música “Conchita Boj”. This rebranding reflects the fresh start at the new location and aligns with the municipal government’s aspirations to expand and enrich music education in the region.
Course offerings and Student Body
The conservatory currently supports more than 300 students, taught by around 20 teachers who are part of the municipal workforce. It offers training across 16 different instrumental specialties, covering both elementary and professional levels.
- From classical instruments to modern ensembles
- Open to children from age 7, most of whom must pass an entrance exam
- High enrollment pressure, with a notable number of students from the Russian and Ukrainian communities
Transportation and Location Challenges
While the new site is modern and spacious, it is located more than 2.5 kilometers away from downtown Torrevieja. To accommodate students – many of whom currently arrive by private car from surrounding neighborhoods and nearby towns – the city is designing dedicated transportation services similar to those provided for other municipal programs like sports schools.
Future Plans for the Original Site
The old conservatory location at the Palacio de la Música in the city center will be repurposed to support local cultural entities. Several music clubs and rehearsal spaces, including the union Musical Torrejvense, will benefit from these newly available facilities.
Background: The Untapped potential of La Hoya Complex
The current building complex and its surroundings encompass 95,000 square meters.The initial project to build an international conservatory was launched in the mid-2000s, with high-profile political backing but ultimately stalled due to the economic crisis. Over €50 million were invested in the overall area, including the auditorio Internacional, which has been hosting cultural events as 2017.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Building Size | 3,700+ square meters |
| Location | La Hoya district, near Auditorio Internacional & Quirón Hospital |
| Expected Opening | January 2026 |
| Number of Students | 300+ |
| Number of Teachers | Approximately 20 (municipal staff) |
| Specialties Offered | 16 instrumental specialties, elementary to professional |
| Transportation | New dedicated transport service being planned |
| Previous Use of New Building | Unused as construction in 2011 |
Addressing Challenges and Improving Quality
City officials acknowledge concerns from parents regarding occasional last-minute teacher absences that disrupt class schedules. Measures are being enforced to rigorously monitor attendance and minimize student absenteeism in the conservatory, striving for an educational surroundings of consistent quality.
What This Means for Torrevieja Residents
This significant investment in musical education reflects Torrevieja’s commitment to cultural growth and community enrichment. Bringing the conservatory to a larger, better-equipped venue will allow for upgrades in teaching capacity and facilities, supporting the artistic growth of youth from the city and surrounding areas.
While the move poses some logistical challenges, such as transportation for students living farther from La hoya, the city is proactively working on solutions to ensure smooth access.
The repurposing of the former conservatory building also promises to inject new life into local cultural organizations, fostering a vibrant artistic scene downtown.
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