It was one of those indirect things... you don't know how they come, but they come." Jesús Mateo Hidalgo is the president of the music association of Massanassa (Valencia) that will receive $65,000 - approximately 55,770 euros- from Johnny Depp. "They have confirmed that it's on its way. It will reach us in two weeks. Whether it will be more, whether it will be less... We'll see. Hopefully, it will be more," says this Valencian with irony. He believes that Depp reached them through the computer technician of this humble school, David. One day he called with this unusual proposal: he told him that he was in contact with an agent, "we might reach Johnny Depp," he hinted. The donation began to take shape this summer. And the baton was picked up by Juan Luis Ortega, a Valencian who, non-profit, has been mediating between the actor's circle and this association.
The Centre Instructiu Musical (CIM) of Massanassa has nearly 500 members, two music bands, and a school for over 100 students in this town of Valencia with 10,146 inhabitants. They used to teach classes in a basement of the Lluís Vives Institute. "That tells you everything: we lost the school, we lost many instruments, files, many administrative documents... A disaster."
They estimated the losses at 200,000 euros. Jesús, however, is grateful that none of them were at the school on that October 29. "Thank goodness that here in this town a red alert had been declared due to wind, and classes in schools and extracurricular activities had been canceled, otherwise we would have had victims for sure."
Jesús couldn't enter his basement, his school, until 12 days later. "I tried to enter the following week. It was impossible. Everything was flooded." He remembers those days with anguish and the feeling that it could have been worse. "The band's situation adds to each person's personal damages. Each of us has had our own. I have known people who died."
Part of this association was also affected by the flood. Their basement belonged to the town's parish, they adapted it to teach classes. They will not be able to return to that section of the public school. "Thanks to the donations, we have been able to buy a bass guitar," but there is still much to do. "We need to adapt the premises, soundproof it... We need much more," acknowledges Jesús.
It has been a surreal year for the band. "It has been a disaster," Jesús interjects. He says it in a negative way. Among the joys are some visits, like that of Plácido Domingo in March. The tenor's foundation, thanked the association, provided instruments for the school. He also posed with the team. Jesús fondly remembers it. "We are still in contact with them," he points out.
Adding to the list of contributions was the Hortensia Herrero Foundation. The non-profit organization of the wife of Juan Roig, owner of Mercadona, also made a donation to this school in Massanassa, which is not just any place in the town. Music is part of the nature of any Valencian locality and the history of this band dates back to the twenties.
In 1941, it was dissolved and reconstituted in 1981. This time they have been able to survive thanks to their support. "We have had moments of crisis, I won't lie to you. Not knowing where to turn," confesses Jesús. They were not the only ones. The data provided by the Federation of Musical Societies of the Valencian Community (FSMCV) made the disaster even more evident: about 30 affected societies, equivalent to 3,500 musicians, 4,000 students, and 350 teachers.
The help of volunteers and donations has been part of the new life of these associations. "Although we still need more, there is still a long way to go," laments this Valencian, who hangs up the phone to join the march starting from Albal, a town near Massanassa. The march attendees have lit candles in a local garden as a symbol of vigil and have also carried torches and roses. "We have to go," acknowledges Jesús.
He fears for the future: "This will happen again, unfortunately. We all fear that. We think it is very likely that it will happen again. What they need to do is build infrastructure to prevent this issue."