Salamanca Appoints 19-Year-Old Musician as Young Holy Week Preacher
A rising composer and trumpet virtuoso has been selected to deliver the sermon during the Young Holy Week in Salamanca, Spain, marking a significant moment for both the region’s religious traditions and its vibrant musical community.
The Sacramental, Mercedarian and Penance Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus Stripped of His Vestments and Most Holy Mary of Charity and Consolation announced the appointment of Fernando Hernández Castilla, a 19-year-old from Peñaranda de Bracamonte, to the prestigious role. Hernández Castilla expressed his surprise and gratitude, stating on the MEDIODÍA COPE program, “In life I would have imagined that I could be the young preacher of Holy Week.” He further emphasized the personal significance of the opportunity, adding, “Holy Week is a passion for me, and of course it is a unique opportunity.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Music and Faith
Born on April 28, 2005, in Salamanca, Hernández Castilla’s journey began at the age of five with trumpet lessons at the Municipal School of Music and Dance “Santa Cecilia.” He continued his musical education at the Salamanca Professional Conservatory of Music, currently studying professional trumpet studies while also performing with the Young Symphony Orchestra of the City of Salamanca. This dedication to music is deeply intertwined with his faith, particularly his connection to the Holy Week traditions of his ancestral town, Peñaranda de Bracamonte.
From 2018, Hernández Castilla has actively participated in processional music, initially as a performer and more recently as a composer. He has collaborated with numerous bands throughout the province, including those in Felipe Espino, Villamayor, Thomas Breton, and Alba de Tormes, contributing to both concerts and religious processions.
Elevating the Role of Music in Holy Week Observances
Hernández Castilla intends to emphasize the importance of music in his upcoming sermon. “I will give great weight to the musical theme because music is also the essence of our Holy Week,” he explained. He believes that the contributions of musicians, often tireless and underappreciated, deserve greater recognition.
His burgeoning compositional career reflects this belief. In 2022, he debuted his first compositions dedicated to Marian devotions, including “Hello, my Esperanza,” dedicated to Mary Most Holy of Hope of Peñaranda de Bracamonte, and “Sweet Gate of Heaven,” composed for María Santísima del Dulce Nombre of Salamanca. This trajectory culminated in 2025 with a commission from the Illustrious Brotherhood of the Santa Vera Cruz of Salamanca to compose a piece for the Virgen de la Amargura, solidifying his position as a promising young composer within the Salamancan processional musical scene.
Currently pursuing university studies in Audiovisual Communication and Journalism at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, Hernández Castilla seamlessly balances his academic pursuits with his demanding musical career. He continues to expand his repertoire and develop new projects, aiming to enrich the sonic landscape of Holy Week for years to come.
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