Tuesday, June 12, 2012

June 10, 2012 - St. Anthony Procession - Utica, NY

The first Mass at St. Anthony’s was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1911. The Parish has been celebrating its centennial since Christmas Eve 2011.
This weekend the centennial and the Feast of St. Anthony were celebrated with a Mass attended by many Religious Societies and local dignitaries.


La Banda played as they entered the Church for Mass.






The Grand Procession followed the Mass and we split into two bands because of the many people processing. We had one band leading the front and another band in back to follow the Saint.










It is the back band’s duty to ensure that a “Marcie Reale” is played facing any house that displays a statue or poster of St. Anthony.



We also played for a beautiful 95 year old parishioner sitting on her front porch smiling, waving, and thanking us.

Of course it’s always touching to play the “Marcia Reale” for the Tocco family. They are always at the same corner circling an empty chair – the poignant symbol of a departed Red Band member, Frank Tocco.
It rarely rains when the Saint comes out of the Church and this year was no exception. It was sunny and hot  making for weary musicians who had just completed 3 gigs in hot weather over the past 30 hours.
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

For more photos please click on the following link
St. Anthony Procession

June 9, 2012 - St. Anthony Festival Concert - Utica, NY

The director of our band, Arlene and her husband Pierre were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary today.

Saturday night at St. Anthony’s Church when the 4:00pm Mass was over and the Church had emptied out, Arlene and Pierre and their families approached the very same Altar where they renewed the vows that were said 50 years ago.

Presiding today was Father LaFache and Deacon Bill Dischiavo.

Along with the Feast of St. Anthony, the church was celebrating 100 years.

At 8:00pm, the Red Band held its’ first concert of the season under a big tent by the food pavilion. We had a large band – 41 musicians including 7 trumpets, 6 trombones, 16 reeds and new this year a bassoon played by Tyler Colvin.

Just before our break our interlocutor, Pasquale Santacroce, announced that it was Arlene and Pierre’s anniversary and the band surprised them with a spirited “Marcia Reale”. That was followed by Al Galime leading the band in the Anniversary Waltz while Arlene and Pierre twirled around the dance floor as per the lyrics: “Oh how we danced on the night we were wed….”

The injured Richard Pashley showed up to be concert master. He had one crutch and a small stool to prop his bum leg on. More Tradition: The show must go on!

And more Tradition: our senior member, trombonist Frank Rossi, brought his great-grandson Nolan to sit with him on trombone. It carries on another Red Band tradition of family members playing along side each other.


Listen close to the music – we’re playing “The Barber of Seville” as well as a new arrangement of “O Solo Mio”. These along with an old time song called “The Woodpecker Song” were all well received by the large St. Anthony crowd.
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

For more photos please click on the following link


Monday, June 11, 2012

June 9, 2012 - Violet Festival Parade - Dolgeville, NY

The Dolgeville Violet Festival Parade on Saturday morning was another well attended event. Lots of parade entries – lots of people lining the sidewalks –lots of Red Band members marching.

We had with one glaring absentee – our Capo, Richard Pashley, is on the disabled list after a slight mishap. He can sit for concerts but can’t yet march. He should be returning soon. Al Galime stepped in to perform the Capo’s duties.

The title “Capo di Banda” is Italian for “Head of the Band”. He controls the starting and stopping, selects the speed of the drum cadence as well as what songs to be played after he gets everyone lined up in the proper place – along with playing an instrument.

As we reached the reviewing stand – the announcer once again acknowledged our clarinetist by name.
 In a loud, proud voice he points out “Dolgeville’s own Lenore Gabriel”.

Lenore seems to become a “shrinking VIOLET” when he does that every year. Like all small towns everybody knows everybody in Dolgeville.



 
But Lenore was upstaged by her mother who marched in the parade as The Statue of Liberty along with Uncle Sam and stood near the reviewing stand cheering us on.




After a lunch at Lenore’s house we couldn’t linger too long – it’s a double gig day.


St. Anthony’s Church is waiting for us to participate in special events this evening as they celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

For more photos of this event please click on the following link