SAN MARINO CONCERTBAND
It is rather difficult to recount the history of an institution in a few lines, due to the length of time involved and the numbers of people involved who attended the institution through the decades,but also due to activities and many events that characterised its existence. For these reasons we prefer to use a flash back approach and hope that we can give an insight into the complexity,vitality and ability of the"Banda of Serravalle" (Rsm), and the involvement of the musicians and the public.1894 is traditionally recognised as the date of the foundation which probably occured due to the detachment of a group of musicians from the military Band of San Marino.In 1897 we find the first mention of "Music Concert" in the semestral Aringo’s reports of Serravalle; in the same period is the first photo (kindly offered by Mrs. Lea Zafferani), even though on that occasion "Serravalle workers band" is what was written on the flag.Pietro Francini was the first vice-president, mentioned in the same report of the same date.Angelo Lulani was the first director, hornplayer from Urbisaglia (Marche) he continued there until 1899.On 25th March 1906, at the historical meeting of Arengo, the Band goes with all the heads of the families to the " choice of Prince and Sovereign Council".A study of the Band’s history also provides us with an insight into the music school, its popularity and the fact that it was free, with no bond required for admission, no final exams: it simply created new musicians for the Band. Another important director was Gregorio Masi: he was bandmaster for 31 years, from 1927 to 1958, and wrote several pieces for the band.After him we find Francesco Tomassini from Serra de’Conti (Ancona), who characterized the next five years with a sort of renewal, (he was director in 1964 at Festival of Sanremo), and introduced some dance music. He died in a car accident leaving an unhappy void in the Band and throughout the country.In the years following the Band led an active life of concerts for little reward: just a glass of wine and some cakes, and if there was wine before a concert the performance was even better.Other directors were Samorì and Lucchi, who characterized the Band with tastes individual to them.The last renewal took place this year.The composer and director Fabio Masini, together with the " Voices’ Shop" (Bottega delle Voci) of Cattolica(Rn) has written and performed "Nel Blu" (In the Blue), a show inspired by Domenico Modugno’s songs.The performance, lasting an hour, offers a range of songs of the 50’s and attracts a considerable audience, who usually end by singing "Volare, oh, oh!" together with the Band.
