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!!!

June 14, 2014 - Dolgeville Violet Festival Parade

The foul weather system that soaked us the night before was long gone in time for the 10:00am Dolgeville Violet Festival Parade.

This year we were placed in division two. As we marched past the other divisions, we were warmly greeted by several high school bands. They listened to us and applauded in an appreciation that all musicians have for each other.

But this does not take away from the wonderful reception we receive from the large crowd of spectators that line both sides of the street for the entire length of the parade route.

Once again the reviewing stand announcer mentioned that a citizen of Dolgeville – our clarinetist, Lenore Gabriel, was marching with us as a proud member of La Banda Rossa.

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Dolgeville Violet Festival

VIVA THE VIOLET FESTIVAL!!!

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

June 13, 2014 - Deerfield Field Days Parade

To declare the Red Band’s performance in Deerfield a “washout” would be an understatement!

The rain began a 30 minutes before the start of the parade and only intensified throughout the march.

We led the parade – there was no color guard, no politicians or dignitaries, and the few spectators along the route were huddled together clinging to their umbrellas for dear life.

For the superstitious in attendance, it was a strong confirmation that it is very inadvisable to plan a parade on the night of the Full Moon when it falls on a Friday the 13^th.

We marched as quickly as possible down the hill, dodged the deepest puddles on the flooded field and gained safe-haven in the fire-station garage.

We played a few marches for the audience cowering in the food pavilion across the lot as the few marchers ended the parade.

The drenching rain continued as we left - all of us soaked to the skin, red ties bleeding into our white shirts. YUK!

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Deefield Field Days

June 7-8, 2014 - St. Anthony Feast - Utica, NY

For the Red Band, the weekend of the Feast of St. Anthony is a 3-part event.

The first event is on Saturday evening. We performed a concert under a large tent setup near the food and beverage pavilion. With the summer-like weather the crowd was in a festive mood and we were well received as we played a program of marches, polkas, and all-time Italian favorites. The audience sang along while enjoying their pizza fritte, beer, and wine until the Feast ended at 10pm.

On Sunday morning the Band assembled at the Church steps playing Marcia Reale to greet the Statue of St. Anthony as he was carried out of the Church. After playing the Hymn to St. Anthony we performed a few traditional Italian marches as people arrived for Mass.

After Mass, La Banda Rossa followed the Statue and a group of parishioners on the Grand Procession in a big loop of the immediate neighborhood. We stopped at every house that displayed a poster or Statue of St. Anthony and honored them with Marcie Reale – a tradition that has been carried on for as long as any of us present can remember.

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St. Anthony Concert
St. Anthony Procession

VIVA the Feast of San Antonio!!!

VIVA La Banda Rossa!!!

May 26, 2014 - Memorial Day Parades

Summer begins with a drum roll and so did each of the three parades La Banda Rossa marched in for Memorial Day.

We played all the Military marches for the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and a rousing rendition of God Bless America!

Our first parade began at 9:30 in Whitesboro. The sun broke through the clouds just as we stepped off and was shining brightly when we passed the American Legion at the end of the parade.

It was good to see the Veterans as they solemnly watch the parades on the day we remember those who didn't return.

Our second parade was a bit trying. It’s the longest one, held in the heat of the afternoon. The first half of the parade was a constant uphill in full sun with a stiff breeze in our faces. But the spectator turnout was good with everyone dressed in their red, white, and blue summer clothes and many proudly waving their flags.

Another good crowd greeted us in our last parade of the day in New Hartford.

There was one last hill to climb out of the shopping center but then it’s downhill all the way. The streets were crowded along the whole route as we continued to play our Military marches.

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Memorial Day Parades

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

March 15, 2014 - St. Patrick's Day Parade Utica, NY

“Beware of the Ides of March” was an appropriate warning for our first parade of the 2014 season!

The weather could not have been more Irish. There was a glimmer of hope with an initial temperature forecast near 40 before the parade – but a cold rainy front moved in and it grew worse throughout the day.

This did not dampen the spirits of those who came out to celebrate St. Patrick wearing as much green as possible.

The cannon went off just after 10:00am for one of the largest St. Pat’s Parades in New York State (we rank right up there with Syracuse but NYC is still the grandest).

The number of participants seemed endless and the Red Band did not step off until 11:20.

We were the 23^rd unit in the purple division which was made up of mostly local bands and floats. The bands from out-of-town are placed near the beginning – they finish our parade, hop on a bus to Syracuse to march at the end of their parade.

So big was this parade that the marchers seemed to outnumber the spectators.

The low number watching the parade may have been the result of the lousy weather and also by the fact the WKTV was broadcasting it LIVE and people may have decided to stay in their warm homes to watch it on TV.

It was a short parade – only .7 miles long from Oneida Square ending at the steps of the Historic Hotel Utica.

And so La Banda Rossa begins its 109^th Season

VIVA La Banda Rossa!!!

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St. Patrick's Day Parade

November 10, 2013 - Veterans Day Parade Whitesboro NY

Even though the actual Veteran’s Day, November 11, fell on the Monday holiday this year; Whitesboro held the parade on Sunday, November 10 at 1pm.

Weather-wise it was a dismal day with light rain and blustery winds.

The attendance was low – and that included spectators and parade participants as well.

The parade consisted of a color guard, the Sherriff’s Department, an American Legion, a small group of politicians, the Hibernians, the fire department, and the Red Band.

But “THEY” were there – some sitting in chairs at the curb – some sitting in their cars – the old soldiers and sailors proudly wearing their Veteran ball caps.

As we marched by playing the military service marches – they watched us with a quiet dignity that belongs to their generation.

This year marks the 95^th anniversary of Armistice Day – the end of WWI – and the reason for the Veteran’s Day holiday.

Maybe it was gloomy weather, but seeing those stoic soldiers standing like sentinels, here and there, one couldn’t help but recall Gen. MacArthur’s words:

“Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away”.

 

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Veteran's Day Parade

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!

October 20, 2013 - Saint Marianne Canonization Anniversary

The first anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Marianne Cope was celebrated at the home parish oh her childhood, St. Joseph/St. Patrick’s Church, on October 20, 2013.

Because she was a Franciscan nun, the liturgy included aspects of her life such as songs and prayers of St. Francis of Assisi.

The Utica Maennerchor Chorus performed as a salute to her German Heritage, and her sainthood was acknowledged in the reciting of the final prayer on day 9 of her Novena.

Novenas are a Catholic tradition of reciting special prayers for consecutive days. These prayers are supplications to a patron Saint requesting intercession for requests made to God.

Upon completion of Mass, the congregation exited and lined up in front of the Church. The procession included the hand-carved statue of St. Marianne, the Knights of St. John, the St. Michael Lancers, representatives of other Catholic parishes of Utica, and La Banda Rossa.

The most popular song we played was “Blessed Mother Marianne”, the song dedicated to Saint Marianne herself.

The procession walked down to the location of St. Marianne’s former home; located not far from the church.

The house is gone but a well-manicured lawn and a plaque mark the spot.

A colorful autumnal wreath was placed next to the plaque, and after more prayers were recited; Father Dellos introduced the great-great-great niece of Saint Marianne.

The band then led the procession back to the church concluding the ceremony. 

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Saint Marianne

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!