November 9, 2014 - Veterans Day Parade Whitesboro NY

La Banda Rossa finished the 2014 season on marching in the annual Veterans Day Parade in Whitesboro NY.

It was a small group of spectators along the parade route – most people were at the end of the parade at the American Legion where a brief but solemn and dignified ceremony was held.

As we marched down the street we honored each branch of the military by playing the service songs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

The American legion requested a trumpet player to play Taps at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Our newest member, Nick DiMaria, received that honor and played it excellent.  “Good Job Nick!”

What a great way to end our season.

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Veterans Day Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

October 19, 2014 - Saint Marianne Cope

Sunday afternoon La Banda Rossa braved the cold winds to join with the parishioners of St. Joseph-St. Patrick’s Church in the west side of Utica.

The Parish was celebrating the 2^nd Anniversary of Saint Marianne Cope’s Canonization with a 2:00pm Mass followed by a Procession to her home site.

La Banda Rossa led the Procession. The new wood-carved Statue of St. Marianne was carried by members of The Knights of St. John with an Honor Guard of St. Michael’s Lancers. The wind was cold and brisk and the Parishioners were securely wrapped in their winter wear as they followed the Saint in the Procession.

We walked a short distance (2½ blocks) to the site of the former residence of St. Marianne’s childhood.

The house has been torn down and a small canopy had been setup on the empty lot for the ceremony.

Three speakers presented a brief history of Utica during Marianne Cope’s era; followed by what the Church is doing now, and finally future plans for a museum and Shrine.

The ceremony ended with a wreath laying and Veneration of the Saint’s Relic.

Her Relic has recently helped heal local people and one of the women it helped attended the ceremony.

The Band led the Procession back to the Church to play “Marcia Reale” as the Statue was carried back inside.

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Saint Marianne Cope

VIVA SAINT MARIANNE COPE!!!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

October 4, 2014 - Homecoming Parade - Camden NY

For the 2^nd year the Red Band traveled to Camden, NY, to play in the annual Homecoming Parade honoring the Blue Devils football team.

Everyone ling the parade route had bright blue cowbells that they rang right along with our music.

It was a dreary, dismal day with rain on and off all morning. Many of the spectators had setup potable blue canopies to protect them from the predicted storms. Fortunately, there were a few drops before the parade began then a downpour just after the last group finished marching.

The parade gods smiled on us and we completed the parade quite dry.

The young son of our tuba player, Paul Browne, sporting a “Go Camden Blue Devils” tee shirt, had a mouthpiece and one of the cowbells and preceded the band the entire route getting many cheers from the Camden spectators. He is currently taking trombone lessons and we are all waiting for the day he can join us and play officially.

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please click on the following link
Camden Homecoming

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

Saturday-Sunday September 27-28, 2014 Sts. Cosma-Damian Feast - Utica NY

If there was a theme for the Feasts of Sts. Cosmas/Damian – this year would be “Something Old …Something New”.

The “Old” includes the Saturday tradition of busloads of Canadians coming to pray at the Shrine of the Saints, greeting the statues as they emerge from the Church, participating in a candlelight procession, and dancing and singing during our annual La Banda Rossa concert.

The two “New” - our flute player Ami, and her husband David, brought our newest fan to the Sunday processions, their four month old son Sam. He really enjoyed the music and all the people. He didn’t cry, was very attentive, and immediately became an “official” member of the band!

And a real surprise – a drone was spotted above the candlelight procession Saturday night looking like a UFO in the sky. The drone was back Sunday morning hovering over the Grand Procession taking aerial videos and photos of the Pilgrims, Statues, Parishioners and the Red Band.

The Procession is so large – the band splits into two. One unit leads the procession and another is at the end. It is the back band that stops at the houses that have a poster of the Saints displayed and honors them with the playing of “Marcia Reale”

During the procession - there was an elderly woman being pushed in a wheelchair who declared – “I am almost as old as the Red Band. I will be 102 years old in a few months”. The band will be 110 next year! Bravo!

The weather was sunny and warm for another successful Feast!

For more photos please click on the following links

Saturday Concert

Sunday Grand Procession

VIVA STS. COSMA-DAMIAN!!!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

Sunday September 7, 2014 - St. John's Parish Picnic - Rome NY

It’s always a thrill for La Banda Rossa to play at a brand new venue.

On September 7^th we were invited to perform a concert in Rome, NY, at the St. John’s Parish picnic. They are blessed with a very large parking lot which accommodated several large tents for a food buffet, entertainment, a children’s area, and plenty of room for parking.

There was no charge for the parishioners and the turn-out was amazing – it was as though every member of the parish was in attendance.

We setup at the end of a large tent – one of many that was filled with tables and chairs. As the crowd sat enjoying their Sunday meal, we played everything from marches, polkas, Italian classics to Glenn Miller.

The audience was delighted and they loved the way our director, Arlene, conducts the band. One man made it a point to tell us “I love watching her – she’s a show unto herself”.

It was a joy to watch and play for this close family of parish members!

For more photos please click on the following link

St. John's Picnic

VIVA ST. JOHN’S

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

Saturday August 23, 2014 - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Festival Utica NY

This year La Banda Rossa performed at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Festival on Saturday evening. In past years we played on Friday which guaranteed a large audience because that’s then their famous fish fry is served.

But not to worry – another large crowd was in attendance Saturday night as well to enjoy the food, games, rides, warm weather, and the music.

We played a variety of fan favorites – Italian melodies, polkas, marches, and since it was such a fine summers’ night reminiscent of an old-fashioned band concert – we concluded with a medley of all-American songs including This Is My Country, You’re a Grand Old Flag. And of course The Stars and Stripes Forever!

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Our Lady of Lourdes

VIVA OUR LADY OF LOURDES!!!
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

August 17, 2014 - NY State Fire and Drill Team Parade - Deerfield, NY

Every year the volunteer of New York State hold their Firematics and Drill Team competition. There are only 6 tracks in the state and one of them is in Deerfield, NY, just north of Utica.

The last time the parade was held on Genesee St. in Utica but this time it was held in Deerfield marching down Trenton RD and ending at the Firemen’s Field.

We were hired by the host department, Deerfield, which meant we got to lead the parade following the Color Guard.

When we marched in their field days parade back in June – it was pouring rain and all the spectators who didn’t attend were now able to line the road on a beautiful August afternoon.

The route was the same as June and the crowd was cheering us on as we entered the field day grounds playing loud and strong.

We disassembled and called it a day.

The parade with a large number of departments and bands from all over state continued for another 1-2 hours.

Once home and checking the web for news of the parade – we found the parade results.

La Banda Rossa won Third Place for Best Appearing Commercial Musical Unit. Many departments have their own musical groups but because we are hired by a fire department – we are considered to be a commercial group.

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Deerfield Convention

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

August 15, 2014 - Feast of the Assumption - Mechanicville, NY

The Red Band was invited back to Mechanicville, NY (just north of Albany) to perform for the Feast of the Assumption on the actual Feast Day - Friday, August 15.

This year we were asked to lead a short procession from the new Church around the block to the old Church which closed in 2009.

The parking lot behind the Church was all setup with tents for food, games, and pastries.Inside the school was a flea market and thrift shop.

We marched into the school lot to complete the procession just as they were erecting a rock-climbing wall and shortly before the food booths opened.

It was a two hour bus trip for us so we had plenty of food on the bus and we were able to have a dinner of sandwiches, peppers, and tomato pie along with many other treats.

Then it was time to setup in the old Church for our concert. The altar had been removed and we placed our chairs and music stands on the platform that was left. All the pews were still in place so the audience had plenty of seating.

Usually when we have our festival concerts outside – the audience is part of the noise. Everyone is eating, talking and greeting friends, and the children are running around playing games and enjoying the rides.

But this concert had a completely different atmosphere. The activity and noise from the feast was still going on outside but the concert was inside.

The audience – and it was a large one – came to listen. There were no distractions. They were quiet and attentive – even as they danced the polka and tarantella down the aisles of the church.

And surprise – we were given 3 standing ovations and we were promptly invited back for next year.

A good time was had by all – especially the musicians.

Maybe it was the acoustics in the church but we all agreed that we gave an exceptional performance that evening.

On the ride back to Utica – everyone was quiet, some sleeping - just reliving the excitement from the day.

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Feast of the Assumption

VIVA THE ASSUNTA

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 31, 2014 - Myers Park Concert - Herkimer NY

After an absence of 16 years, the Red Band returned to play a concert in Herkimer, NY, at Myers Park. They supplied us with chairs, lights, a sound system, and a large spacious bandstand.

The audience started arriving as our 32 piece band finished setting up and the concert started promptly at 7pm with a rousing version of Amparito Roca.

We had two debuts at this concert – a new member of the clarinet section, Lindsey Taube, and our trombone section consisting of Mark Cammarere, Frank Rossi, Rose Zaloom, and Dan Dillman were all sporting their “La Banda Rossa Team Trombone” hats.

I think it gave an extra flash when they played New York, New York. Good Job Bones!

Myer’s Park is a great setting for a summer band concert. It’s full of American history – complete with a large bronze statue of Gen. Herkimer.

We appropriately ended our concert with a salute to some great American music: This is My Country, the National Emblem March, Sing for America Medley, and of course the Sousa classic – The Stars and Stripes Forever featuring Barb Seaton on piccolo.

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Herkimer Concert

Bravo Herkimer
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 26, 2014 - Rome Honor America Days Parade - Rome NY

Originally called Fort Stanwix Days – the Honor America Days Parade has been held in Rome, NY, every July since 1984.The Red Band has been part of it since 1998.

Of all the parades we perform in – this is the largest and kudos must be given to the committee because it is the most organized.

This year we were in the 10th division and even though the parade began at 10:00am – we didn't step off until 11:30.Although the part of the route that we march is just over one mile, it took us 1 hour and 7 minutes to complete.

Thousands of people lined the streets, many were dressed in red, white, and blue, waving flags and enjoying popsicles being passed out by the Nicky Doodles Ice Cream truck a block ahead of us.

Carl Eilenburg, one of the founders of Honor America Days, warmly greeted our director, Arlene, and the Red Band from the podium on the reviewing stand.

The crowd roared - the weather was perfect – and a good time was had by all in Rome.

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Rome Honor America Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 20, 2014 - Mt. Carmel Church Festival Procession and Concert Utica, NY

After the 10:30 Mass in Honor of our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Feast Day, the Red Band escorted the Statue around the Church block ending at the outdoor Shrine in the parking lot.

 A large group of parishioners was in attendance for the Benediction. Everyone joined in singing Tantum Ergo in Latin accompanied by the band

After a short break we performed a 2 hour concert from a bandstand setup in front of a large tent where everyone sat listening to us as they enjoyed a variety of Italian foods.

 The Mt Carmel Feast is known for their exceptionally good food: sausage and peppers, mushroom stew, meatballs, arancini (rice balls), pizza fritte, and much more.

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Mt. Carmel Procession

Mt. Carmel Concert

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 18, 2014 - Ilion NY Doo-Dah Parade

A Doo-Dah Parade is one that usually has wacky, funny, and outrageous themes, costumes, and floats. You can usually see everything from synchronized shopping carts to lawn mower drill teams.

Every year Ilion has a Doo-Dah Parade as part of their week-long Ilion Days.

La Banda Rossa has marched in it for many years usually in our traditional uniform sometimes wearing black shorts if it was a hot evening.

This year we decided to join along with the craziness. We wore our traditional hats, red ties, and black pants or shorts, but added crazy shirts and socks.

It was just enough of a change to make us fit right in with the theme.

All along the parade route the crowd clapped and shouted in appreciation.

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Ilion Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 13, 2014 - Boilermaker Road Race Utica, NY

Because of the recent tornado activity in the area this summer, race officials were very skittish about the thunderstorm forecast for race time. They decided at 5:30am that it was a go – but would end the after party an hour earlier hoping to beat the rain.

We setup as usual on the parkway just before mile 2 – at the end of the international mile representing the East Utica Italian Heritage.

We all wore our 2014 Boilermaker T-shirts and played “Marcia Reale” for each of the wheelchair racers as they came by.

We broke into  Funicula, Funiculi as the Kenyans, Elites, and Women runners sped by.

We varied our songs among marches, polkas, Tarantellas, and the ever popular Rosamunda – better known as The Beer-Barrel Polka. The runners came by us waving, dancing, and conducting.

Four of our musicians didn’t play with us – Julia Galime, Brian Griffin, and new members Corinne and Hanna Bouchard were running in the Boilermaker this year.

VIVA to all the Athletes!!!

 PS – it didn’t rain until later in the day and a tornado was reported down near Watkins Glen – a few hours south of Utica.

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Boilermaker Road Race

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

July 12, 2014 - New York Mills NY Bell Parade

A festival and parade are held every year to celebrate the days when a bell was rung to signal the beginning and end of the working day in the Mills.

We have marched in this parade for many years and all of our musicians were arrived at 4:30pm for a 5:00 start time. We usually try to arrive 30-40 minutes early to allow for parking and line-up.

We were asked why we were there so early. The start time for the parade had been changed to 6pm.It seems no one had called us with the time change.

It was a very hot evening but everyone found shade or porch steps to sit on until everyone starting arriving at 5:30.

The parade began and we marched down the street ending at the festival in the park.

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Bell Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

June 22, 2014 - St. Joseph-St. Patrick Feast of the Corpus Christi

The West Utica parish of St. Joseph/St. Patrick’s Church celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, which recognizes the Catholic Creed that the Holy Communion Host is the “Body of Christ” as ordained by Jesus at the Last Supper – “This is my Body”.

The Red Band lined up at the foot of the Church Steps ready for the Procession to begin at the end of the 10:30 Mass.

As the Altar Boys, the Priest, and the parishioners exited the church we played the Marcia Reale.

The Priest was holding the gold Sunburst Monstrance containing the Host. A Canopy called a Baldaccino was carried over the Priest.

We followed the Procession around the block ending at the outdoor Shrine of St. Marianne Cope.

We played the hymns “Tantum Ergo” and “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”. The Priest gave the Benediction and the parishioners recited the Beatitudes – and the service was ended.

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Feast of the Corpus Christi

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!