The heart of the Camagüey Music Band has been beating for 103 years

Photo: José A. Cortiñas Friman

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Beyond a musical ensemble made up of a large number of wind and percussion instruments, the Camagüey Music Band plays distinctive roles from the musical thought. It stands out in the diffusion of this noble art, in the musical training of thousands of people, in the promotion of music schools, conservatories; and in the odd accompaniment in festive, solemn, daily activities, and much more.

The Spanish colonel and musicologist Joaquín Grau Murcia, in his article entitled “The origin of our music bands and their musical societies” argues that: The phenomenon of the origin of current music bands, in terms of instrumental arrangement, with the exception of the evolution they have undergone over the years, it must be placed at the beginning of the 19th century, during the War of Independence, at least in the West.

Background

Taking into account the previously exposed criteria, the Camagüey ensemble also had a pro-independence background: Libertad ensemble. Its musicians of Congo origin, fundamentally, were authors and performers in the Third Corps of the Liberation Army. This group was founded and directed by Víctor Pacheco Arias, designated as captain. After the war of ’95 ended, they continued their work as musicians, teachers; but due to economic shortages they disbanded the ensemble.

1919 date of foundation of the Municipal Band of Camagüey

On September 19th, 1919, the City Council agreed on the necessary budget for the acquisition of musical instruments and to make the desired purpose a reality. On November 12th, linked to the life and deeds of the distinguished patriot Major General Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, the Band, still stammering, debuted in a commemorative parade with uniform and shield with lyre and laurel.

Economic deprivation accompanied the group, but did not intimidate the future of the Municipal Band, know that this institution, a cultural actor and public servant, made the professionalism of the art of music available to all social classes. The same musical pieces that were heard in concert halls or theaters were also the delight of the people who opened their souls to the retreats.

Its commendable work as a trainer of musicians forged the components of the different musical groups, it became the largest source of wind and percussion instrumentalists. From José Álvarez Varona, its first director, to maestro Gerardo Vasconsuelo Sánchez, current head, many men and women since then have dignified the music of the town and the country.

Provincial Concert Band

The titular baton, Gerardo Vasconsuelo Sánchez, conducts the Provincial Concert Band, made up of more than 50 musicians. With a repertoire of more than 400 pieces and a generic range from the most authentic Creole to the widest foreign diversity, key to its universal positioning.

Will there be a child, adolescent, young person, a grandfather who does not wait for the Band’s Sunday retreats? Its interpretations of impeccable professionalism, the marches, overtures, danzones, boleros, mambos and a contemporaneity interpreted from the talent; make the Agramonte Park an exquisite concert hall available to everyone. Every Friday and Saturday, the Provincial Concert Band of Camagüey, invites you to its usual meeting in the central park of Camagüey.