The first references to marching bands are incredibly old: in the Old Testament there are musical bands of the Hebrew people. From the beginning they were closely linked to combat and military maneuvers where instruments were used to give voices of command. Throughout history, their formats have been modified until what we know today as Concert Bands that still have their peculiar sound of metal and wood in full function.
In Cuba, the first reference that exists of this phenomenon dates back to the sixteenth century where there is talk of a group attached to the Castillo del Morro de La Habana. Marked by the French heritage that the Spaniards transmitted to us, the Cuban Concert Bands were outlined, an element that identified military regiments, fire brigades and other government agencies, which allowed the Cuban people to familiarize and embrace this musical format. This led to each city forming its own Concert Band to star in dissimilar cultural, social and political activities.
In Camaguey
Camagüey city, recognized mainly for the cultural level of its inhabitants, did not take long to embrace such an interesting custom. In the early years of the 20th century, the intention of creating a Municipal Band was born from within the City Hall. At that time the Retretas in the Ignacio Agramonte Central Park, once Plaza de Armas, was performed by the Band of the Second Military Regiment.
As a historical document of that time is the newspaper “El Camagüeyano” of September 19th, 1919, where the Chapter Act was published informing about the necessary budget for the acquisition of instruments required to make the purpose a reality. This meant a boost of energy to achieve it. After the figure was made known in this way, it was announced the holding of an auction in order to raise the necessary money aimed at covering the expenses of that company, which included the call for those who would be part of it. Collecting the funds was an arduous task. There were not few tenders that were required.
Founding
On November 12th of that same year, it made its first appearance in a parade that paid homage to Mayor Ignacio Agramonte, even without its Regulations. Unfortunately, history records the fact that the musicians were dressed as policemen and, to top it all, they marched after them. But in the same way the date records this great achievement. Playing the National Anthem in front of the Town Hall, the group played for the second time on May 20th, 1920, on the occasion of the new anniversary of the Republic. But it was not until 1929 that the deputy mayor, Andrés Morán Cisneros, signed the act of its official constitution. The newspaper El Camagüeyano returns to echo the activities of the Band announcing the concert on the 30th so that there would be no doubts about its inauguration, made up then of 35 teachers, still humbly uniformed in raw denim.
For 102 years, thanks to this institution, concert music has been fostered in the musical roots of Camagüey. In each retreat, leading political or cultural events, we can enjoy a tradition that today is also Agramontina.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
