Great Passion Procession (Magna Pasionista)
Bands and Music
The Sounds of the Passion in Lucena
The Great Passion Procession ‘Lucena Lives the Passion’, to be held on 27th September 2025, will also serve as a celebration of the Brotherhoods’ musical heritage, embracing both its traditional roots and its contemporary artistic expression. Processional music will be far more than a mere accompaniment; it will play a prominent role in the unfolding and presentation of this expression of popular piety
The Drum and the Torralbo: the Soundscape of Lucena’s Tradition
Lucena preserves a distinctive soundscape and intangible heritage, deeply rooted in the spirit of its ‘santería’ tradition.
The drum is an essential element of ‘santería’: it sets the rhythm of the processional throne throughout the procession, adapting to the devotional image, the route and the instructions of the ‘manijero’. Each devotional image has its own distinctive drum rhythm, preserved through oral tradition, making the drum an integral part of the aesthetic identity and distinctive character of Holy Week in Lucena. The drummer, whose attire is the same as that of the ‘santero’, forms an integral part of the ‘cuadrilla’ (processional crew) and takes part in its ‘juntas’ and ‘paseíllos’. Since 1981, the Brotherhood of Drummers of Lucena has worked to preserve and transmit on this unique sound heritage. As part of the Great Passion Procession, its members will perform a ceremonial ‘paseíllo’ from their Brotherhood House to the start of the Official Processional Route, proceeding along it from 5.30 p.m., ahead of the arrival of the first processional throne at 7.00 p.m.
For its part, the ‘torralbo’ is a natural trumpet used exclusively for ritual purposes during Holy Week in Lucena. Its distinctive sound is brief, high-pitched, and instantly recognisable, and it is used to announce the approach of the ‘paso’ in traditional processions such as those of Our Father Jesus bound to the Column, the Holy Burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ or “La Pollina” Always performedby a single player, its performance forms part of the ceremonial tradition of Lucena’s ‘santería’. The Brotherhood of Drummers of Lucena also plays an important role in keeping this rich sound heritage alive and passing it on to future generations
Both of these distinctive sounds will be heard throughout the route of the Great Passion Procession. They will be joined, accompanying the Most Holy Christ of Health and Mercy – Silence, by two further sound traditions that are emblematic of Holy Week in Lucena:the Call of Silence, performed on trumpet to emphasise the penitential character of the penitential procession, and a group of members from the Brotherhood of Mourning Drummers, founded in 1971 and officially incorporated into the Brotherhood of the Most Holy Christ of Health and Mercy in 1980.
In addition, spectators will have the opportunity to experience one of the most moving and deeply spiritual traditions of Holy Week in Lucena: the ‘saeta’, which will not be allowed along the Official Processional Route. Performed by renowned ‘saeteros’ from across Andalusia, these sung prayers will rise from balconies and hidden corners along the route, transforming silence into prayer. In Lucena, where celebrated ‘saeteros’ such as Perrilleja and Alcantarilla left an enduring legacy, the ‘saeta’ forms part of the town’s sound heritage, brought vividly back to life with every passing processional throne. This Great Passion Procession will offer a unique opportunity to experience that heartfelt song through which faith blossoms into music.
All of this will be complemented by the musical accompaniment of three marching bands and two bands from Lucena, detailed below.
Autor: Jesús Cañete Fernández
Author: Jesús Cañete Fernández
Author: Jesús Cañete Fernández
Author: Daniel Valencia
Agrupación Musical Virgen de los Reyes (Seville)
The Agrupación Musical Ntra. Sra. de los Reyes was founded in Seville in 1980 within the Brotherhood of Jesus Despoiled, when a group of young boys soon realised their dream of accompanying their titular devotional image in procession. Under the direction of Juan Antonio Ramírez, the ensemble gained prestige and began accompanying some of Seville’s most prominent Brotherhoods in procession. In 1992, it adopted its present name and established itself as an independent musical ensemble. It has received numerous honorary distinctions, taken part in historic events, and released sixteen recordings. Today, after more than 40 years of history, i continues to uphold the enthusiasm and commitment to Brotherhood music that inspired its foundation.
Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Ntra. Sra. de la Victoria ‘Cigarreras’ (Seville)
The Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, popularly known as ‘Las Cigarreras’, was founded in 1979 within the Brotherhood of the Sacred Column and Scourging (Hermandad de la Sagrada Columna y Azotes) in Seville, to which it still belongs today. In 1992, its youth band was established, now known as the ‘Banda de Cornetas y Tambores Sagrada Columna y Azotes’, which also forms part of the same Brotherhood. Under the direction of Manuel Pardo, the band consolidated a distinctive repertoire. From the 1990s onwards, it incorporated professional composers and academically trained musicians, raising its technical and artistic standards. With international performances and première of landmark works such as ‘La Saeta’, ‘Crucifixus’, ‘Victoria!’ and ‘Hasta siempre Soberano’, its musical legacy has marked a turning point in Brotherhood music. Today, with more than four decades of history, ‘Las Cigarreras’ continues to enjoy an enduring prominence, combining tradition, innovation and musical training, and remains one of the most influential and highly regarded bands of Holy Week in Seville.
Agrupación Musical Ntro. Padre Jesús de la Redención (Seville)
The Agrupación Musical Ntro. Padre Jesús de la Redención was founded in 1978 as the band of Seville’s Juncal district and became part of the Brotherhood of the Redemption in 1986. In 1993, it reached a major milestone by accompanying the Lord of the Redemption for the first time on Holy Monday. It has developed its own repertoire and released recordings such as ‘Redención Costalera’ and ‘XL Aniversario’. In addition, it has taken part in extraordinary processions throughout Andalusia, performed at such iconic venues as the Basilicas of El Gran Poder, La Macarena and El Rocío, and established twinning agreements with bands from across Spain. In 2018, it established its Music School and the María Stma. del Rocío Musical Ensemble, reinforcing its commitment to musical training. Today, it is one of the most established musical ensembles on Seville’s Brotherhood music scene.
Musical Ensemble Most Holy Christ of the Humiliation ‘Servitas’ (Lucena)
The Musical Ensemble Most Holy Christ of the Humiliation was founded in September 2011 within the Brotherhood of the same name in Lucena, at the initiative of its then Head of the Brotherhood, José Ángel Chacón. With almost fifty musicians and under the musical direction of Rafael Rodríguez Castro, the band began rehearsing, driven by the ambition of taking its music throughout Andalusia. In March 2012, it was officially presented with its own uniform and banner, and during its very first Holy Week it accompanied several Brotherhoods, including Our Lady of Araceli.
It has performed in several Andalusian cities, including Seville, and has taken part in concerts such as La Pasión según Andalucía (The Passion According to Andalusia) and the Brotherhood Fair Capricho Cofrade. In 2014, it unveiled its full dress uniform. Since 2022, its musical director has been Francisco Moral Quero, consolidating the band’s steady rise within Andalusian Brotherhood music.
Didactic Musical Society Lucena Music Band
The Didactic Musical Society ‘Lucena Music Band’ was founded in 1902 and is today one of the town’s oldest and most distinguished cultural institutions. Since 1979, it has operated as an independent society, pursuing an uninterrupted history that has led it to take part in processions, concerts and music festivals throughout Andalusia. It comprises around 40 musicians and has a versatile repertoire ranging from processional marches to symphonic music, ‘zarzuela’ and film music. In 2002, to mark its centenary, it was given the honour by the Archconfraternity of Saint Mary of Araceli of accompanying its ‘santería’ during the ascent to the Sanctuary of Aras, a milestone of profound devotional significance. In 2005, it inaugurated its present headquarters, and since 1995 it has been a member of FEDERBAND. It has promoted music festivals, competitions and tribute events, consistently demonstrating its commitment to musical education and social engagement. Today, under the direction of Miguel Herrero Martos, it continues to be an essential pillar of the cultural life and Holy Week traditions of Lucena.
