Josep Maria Ruera

Josep Maria Ruera i Pinart, born in Barcelona in 1900 and later residing in Granollers, was a prolific musician and music teacher deeply connected to the cultural fabric of his adopted city. A student of Enric Morera and Joan Baptista Lambert, Ruera composed over seventy sardanes (Catalan folk dances), twenty revesses (a type of musical form), and the notable symphonic work "Empúries," which won the Pau Casals prize in the Language Games. His compositions, such as "La Verge catalana" and "La competència," are celebrated in the choral genre. Beyond composing, Ruera was a dedicated educator, founding the Selecció orchestra in 1944 and conducting various orchestras and ensembles, including La Catalònia. He also served as the organist of the Sant Esteve parish for fifty years, leaving an indelible mark on Granollers' musical landscape until his passing in 1988.