Musical Bands in South Tyrol: A History of Passion
Musical Bands in South Tyrol: A History of Passion
In South Tyrol, the tradition of musical bands is ancient and has deep roots. The first bands formed at the end of the 18th century, when small groups of wind instrument enthusiasts began to gather in some towns.
The passion for music and the joy of being together were essential for the birth of numerous other bands, both in small villages and cities, feelings that grew over the centuries and led to the presence of approximately 210 active musical bands in the province today.
In the early decades, as mentioned, the bands' activities were limited to performances during processions and other religious events, and the Church made sure that musicians stayed away from secular dance music. A particularly difficult period for South Tyrolean bands occurred during the fascist era when the performance of German-language pieces (which were part of the tradition) was banned, leading to the dissolution of almost all bands.
The re-establishment of the South Tyrolean Musical Bands Association dates back to 1948 in the postwar period, and with it, the pleasure of cultivating this important tradition returned. Since then, in addition to folk pieces, most bands have included modern melodies, opera arias, or works by great composers in their repertoires, and it is not rare to hear performances of famous movie soundtracks. The bands continue to enliven many festive days or special events related to the territory.
In spring, the main musical bands in Bolzano perform in a series of concerts in the city's squares and parks. The first to perform this year will be the Dodiciville Band.
Dodiciville Musical Band
March 16, 2025: Piazza Municipio, 10:00 AM
May 1, 2025: Piazza Municipio, 10:30 AM - Flower Festival
May 24, 2025: Piazza Municipio, 7:00 PM
August 1, 2025: Semirurali, 8:30 PM
Gries Musical Band
March 23, 2025: Casa della Zecca, 10:30 AM
August 8, 2025: Piazza Municipio - Lorenzinacht
June 13, 2025: Parco delle Semirurali, 8:30 PM
September 7, 2025: Gries, 10:30 AM
Bolzano Musical Band
April 30, 2025: Piazza Municipio, 8:30 PM
September 19, 2025: Semirurali, 8:30 PM
Image: Musical Band in Bolzano-Bozen, Courtesy Manuela Tessaro