June 12, 2011 - St. Anthony Church Festival Procession - Utica, NY

According to the USA Today, this lousy weather we’ve been experiencing can be blamed on “La Nina” and it has stalled over East Utica with a vengeance.

We were able to play as they brought the Statue of St. Anthony out of the Church - then retreated under the tent just before the sky opened up for a real downpour.

Deacon Bill, aware of the weather predictions, decided it best to cancel the Grand Procession through the streets of East Utica and we would play under the tent to Honor the Saint.

We had lost a bit of Faith in the Powers of St. Anthony because in previous years the rain always stopped in time for the Procession.

Suddenly the rain stopped as the Mass ended but the Police escort had already been canceled - but we were able to walk the Saint to the end of the street and return and perform the Procession standing in front of the Church under clearing skies as the Congregation sat under the tent. St. Anthony does perform Miracles.

We had another welcome change this year. We now have an arrangement of “Hymn to Saint Anthony”. It’s a very pretty Hymn and was well received by everyone.

VIVA SAINT ANTHONY!!
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!
For more photos please click on the following link
St. Anthony Procession

June 11, 2011 - St. Anthony Church Festival Concert - Utica, NY

Our concert for St. Anthony had one of the largest group of band members ever - 41 musicians- including 8 trumpets, 5 trombones, 3 tubas, and a brand new instrument for our band - a bassoon played by new member Sarah Hoffman. She even brought her mother, Kathy, to help us on trumpet.

Needless to say the sound was very full and strong but it didn’t keep the rain away. It started pouring and the audience all but melted away after our first set.

We almost lost the trombone, tuba, and drum section because they were sitting where water ran off the tent eave - down a wire, and it made for a constant stream of water right on top of them.

But the show must go on and we played the full two hour concert ending to a sparse crowd at 10:00.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

For more photos please click on the following link

St. Anthony Concert

June 11, 2011 - Dolgeville Violet Festival

The Red Band made its way to Dolgeville to play in the Annual Violet Festival Parade despite the pouring rain.

We had a good-sized band as we lined up in the 4th Division to begin the parade. One new member, Sarah Hoffman, is also a member of the CNY Police and Firemen’s Band from Syracuse. They marched in the 2nd division and when Sarah finished with them - somehow managed to change uniforms and get back to Wolf St. to join The Red Band before we began marching. Now that’s devotion - especially from a new member!

Sarah with Syracuse Band............Sarah with Red Band

Just like last year – the rain stopped as we lined up and it held off throughout the parade, although we did notice that the crowd of spectators was slightly smaller than past years.

One lady standing on the side stuck out – she was sporting her Royal Wedding hat- (good for you Alicia!).

The reviewing stand also acknowledged “Dolgeville’s own - Lenore Gabriel” marching right in front in the clarinet line.Lenore and sax player Lynda Dudgeon also pulled “double duty” performing with The Easy Money Big Band in a concert immediately following the Parade.

The Violet Festival is a big weekend long celebration of music, food, and fun! If you’ve never been - don’t miss it next year.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!
For more photos please click on the following link
Dolgeville Violet Festival

May 30, 2011 - Memorial Day Parades

La Banda Rossa is back on the streets again – bigger and better than ever!

We made our appearance on Memorial Day at 9:30am in Whitesboro, 2:00 in Utica, and 7:00 in New Hartford.

Three new musicians joined us for these parades: brother and sister David (baritone) and Dolly (clarinet) Peterson, and Nicholas (trumpet) Williams. Along with our regular musicians, it made for a Band with almost 30 marching in all the Parades.

We also enjoyed the benefit of brand new march books and clean, new copies of all the music replacing our old ones with ripped pages and faded music that made it impossible to read.

In keeping with the dignity and meaning of Memorial Day – we played the Military Marches of each of the Branches of the Service as well as God Bless America.
Although the weather was sunny and warm, we did notice a smaller turn-out of spectators at all three parades. Where did everyone go?

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Photos from Whitesboro, Utica, and New Hartford

Please click on the following link for more photos
Memorial Day Parades

November 7, 2010 - Whitesboro Veteran's Day Parade

The morning started with a heavy frost – but the sun was warm and the air “chilly” for the Whitesboro Veteran’s Day Parade.

The Red Band was right behind the Legion Color Guard as we marched down Main St. playing the fight songs of each of our Armed Forces.

Participating this year was a large group of Naval ROTC members from area schools.

At the end of the parade we lined up at the Flag Memorial at the American Legion. When everyone was in place, we performed The National Anthem to start the Ceremony.

Because there was a chill in the air, the amount of spectators along the route was a bit sparse – however the turnout at the Legion and by the reviewing stand was large and very patriotic.

A good way to end our 2010 season.

VIVA AMERICA!!
VIVA ALL VETERANS!!
VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on the link below for photos of the parade
Whitesboro Veteran's Day Parade

October 30, 2010 - John Reale-Jean King Wedding

The Groom, John Reale wanted a special surprise on their Wedding Day for his Bride, Jean King, so he hired the Red Band to greet them as they came out of Church as husband and wife.

While the ceremony was taking place we assembled outside of Church at the top of the stairs. The Main doors opened, the happy couple emerged, the Band rolled off and burst into the “Marche Royale”

The Bridesmaids peeking around the door recognized us first – then the Bride looked at us. Her jaw dropped as she displayed a radiant smile that only a Bride can give on her Wedding Day.

The Band was immediately surrounded by a bevy of photographers with cameras and video who captured the moment.

We continued playing Italian songs and marches as they greeted their guests.

VIVA MR. AND MRS. REALE!!

Please click on link below for more photos

Reale-King Wedding

October 9, 2010 - Albany Columbus Italian Festival

The Red Band was “on the road again” on Saturday, October 9, to lead the Procession in the 19th Annual Columbus Italian Festival in Albany, NY.

Our Bus arrived in Albany at the beautiful grounds of Washington Park where the event was being held. The Procession kicks off the Festival which features music, dancing, Italian cuisine, and family entertainment.

We stepped off at high noon and marched down a shady lane that was lined with Italian flags that were waving in a gentle wind on a perfect, sunny, autumn afternoon.

We proceeded to the Main Stage at the Lakehouse – circled around to face the stage and played Italian Marches as the floats and marchers went by.

Included in the Procession was a float with Columbus at the helm of the Santa Maria, a Salute to Mother Cabrini, and horses including the Roman Rider.

We were well received by the crowd and just as the day’s program was about to start...we were back on our bus heading home to Utica.

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for more photos

Albany Columbus Italian Festival

October 8, 2010 - Adjusters International Picnic

The Adjuster’s International Company located in The Utica Business Park hired the Red Band to play at their 25th Anniversary Picnic. It was held on the lawn and parking lot in front of their office building on a Friday afternoon.

There was a definite Italian flavor to this event – it was catered in grand style by the Ancora Restaurant. It featured an Italian buffet with Saranac beverages and red, white, and green floral displays on pristine white table cloths. They graciously invited the Band to partake of some refreshments during our break – did I mention the platters of Pastries?

The highlight of their picnic was the very competitive Bocce Ball game that was being played right in front of the Band. The teams were named after various catastrophes such as Typhoon and Hurricane.

Although it was a sunny, mild day – the wind was very strong. A tent had been setup for us to play in and the side flaps kept blowing inward knocking over chairs and music stands. We had to secure the flaps with bungee cords onto Arlene’s car. THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!

Please click on link below for photos

Adjusters International Picnic