HAIZE BERRIAK BAND begun with a small group of musicians from Sakana valley in the 90´s. The first aim of the group was to contact people from Music Schools and people connected to the music field in order to grow as a group and give them a way out. The idea gained strength and HAIZE BERRIAK (A play on word in Basque language meaning New winds or New Age) project become largely successful. Mario Fernandino (A Music School Teacher in several villages of the Valley) was the first conductor. He soon passed the baton to Juan José Torres, an experienced Valencian conductor and musician. It was about 1997 when he directed us to establish statures, create the musical association, and also to collaborate with the City Council of Alsasua.

From that moment on, Haize Berriak contacted with several cultural entities, involving the band in performances in several “fiestas” and joining several music groups for special events (choirs, traditional dancing companies...).

Juan José Torres was also the pioneer to promote musical exchanges with other music bands such as bands from Aoiz, Lumbier, Lodosa, Rafelbunyol, Zarautz, l'Ametlla de Mar, Bayonne... giving us the opportunity to export our music, experiences and enrich each other.

Mr. Torres passed the baton to Luis Orduña, who has been our conductor since 2005. He is a young musician and has an entrepreneurial conductor spirit. Mr. Orduña has refocused the band and made it stronger and innovativer than ever before; promoting the composition, training of the musicians, promoting new enhancements, recovering old dancing sessions on squares, performing related and illustrated concerts, etc..

Up to now it will be impossible to close this chapter, since our career like the music goes "in crescendo", keen on learning wishing to reach a "Forte súbito mantenuto"

HAIZE BERRIAK has always created collaborative projects with other cultural groups, in order to promote and spread the musical culture.

It is worth mentioning the concerts and activities carried out together with Sakana´s choirs (Etxarri Aranatz Choir, Aizpea and Erkudengo Ama Choirs), annual activities together with Music Schools, txistularies, solo guitars, speakers, and other collaborators.

HAIZE BERRIAK has also promoted musical exchanges, recovered the old tradition dancing sessions on squares, participated on the carnival events etc..

The band’s efforts have been recognized by the population in Alsasua, awarding the band with the "Makila", prize given to popular people or organizations to recognize their efforts on the culture or contribution to the Village of Alsasua.

Musicians have been an essential part of the band all these years long, and therefore specific training programs for musicians are offered every year by experienced teachers in order to gain experience and new techniques.

HAIZE BERRIAK has recently rewarded with the Bai Euskarari certificate, the one that is part of the Bai Euskarari Agreement and which involves more than 1500 of organizations and institutions within the Basque Country recognizing the efforts on the normalization of the Basque language.

HAIZE BERRIAK belongs also to the Navarre’s Federation of Music Bands since its creation. It’s an association made up of over thirty groups. It’s objectives are the promotion of meetings and cooperation between its members and exchanges with bands from other countries

HAIZE BERRIAK, has been developing relationships of exchange and collaboration with several institutions:

City Council of Alsasua
There is an agreement between HAIZE BERRIAK and the City Council of Alsasua which is renewed every year. It allows both parts having a close collaboration; HAIZE BERRIAK receives economical assistance and offers several concerts to the Village.

Government of Navarre
Every single year the Government of Navarre, renews the compromise with HAIZE BERRIAK, and counts on us to perform a concert in a different part of Navarre.

City councils of Sakana Valley
HAIZE BERRIAK participates in several villages on Sakana Valley. Several City Councils count on us to bring our music to fiestas or other events.

Caja Navarra Foundation
Caja Navarra (CAN) is a financial institution which develops universal banking activities. CAN has developed the ‘You choose: You decide’ program the one that allows to the clients taking decisions on Caja Navarra's Social Investment. The program entails benefits in HAIZE BERRIAK Band. CAN´s clients have largely supported HAIZE BERRIAK´s projects.

HAIZE BERRIAK Bands first steps into music composition were taken to tribute Esther Irisarri, a musician and member of our band who passed away unexpectedly in 2007. “VARIACIONES AGUR JAUNAK, ESTHER IRISARRI IN MEMORIAM”, was composed by the famous compositor and conductor J. Vicent Egea. He showed soon his interest on this project and expressed our feelings though the music.

Several musical arrangements have also been carried out under our request for special occasions and last composition was launched together with the City Council of Olazagutia. Composition was chosen in order to tribute another musician; Jose Luis Ollo. The composition had its premiere in Olazagutia and joined again HAIZE BERRIAK and Etxarri Aranatz Choir.

2009 year will also be a chance for us to reinforce composition activities. Composer Montserrat Torras is already working under our request on a new work that will be opened on the concert; "Woman in the Music". The international Music Competition Contest will be launched for 2009 year also.