Banda Cittadina di Eraclea

The Eraclea city band is a Group active in the Heracleense territory for more than 100 years. The group is made up of amateur musicians, ordinary people, men, women, boys and girls who go to work or study. The common meeting point between all people, also considering the generational gap, is undoubtedly Music. Being part of a music group like ours stimulates social relations and the harmony that the members are able to absorb during the ensemble practice and re-transmit them in a more acid society, where what matters above all is the god of money.

Band’s history

Our Town Band is one of the oldest associations of Eraclea City. It was probably born during the first years of 1900, even if some of the older members’ still living evidences prove that the Band already existed at the end of 1800.

The first written documents which prove an effective Band’s existence, are the Eraclea City deliberations of 1930s. These documents are now kept in Eraclea’s Library.

According to the same registers, on 17/05/1924 Benito Mussolini was made honorary citizen of Eraclea. We can notice how Eraclea Town Band was highly considered during Fascism, an institution as important and representative as the doctor, the vet, the midwife and teachers.

During World War I and II the Band, obvioulsy, reduced its members and the number of engagements. However, it never completely stopped or broke up. During World War II musicians and pupils continued to go to the music school, against all German soldiers' prohibitions. The best musicians, from those years on, got used to play their music in the pubs every Wednesday and Saturday evening. They also started to play at Jesolo's Casablanca pub and during Motta di Livenza's annual festivals.

Band’s Seat

Band’s seat has changed many times during the years. During Wars the seat was the presbytery of Eraclea's church, then, after World War II, in the hall "Dalla Zorza da Boetina", in Eraclea. During its hard times the Band was given hospitality by musician's families, especially from Guido Urban's one. From 1965 the Band had its official seat at Eraclea's town hall, then in other halls owned by the town council near the church, together with other Eraclea's associations such as IRC (Italian Red Cross), the choir, the fight associations etc… Now, with the new town council, Band's seat is at ex San Luigi School, behind the town hall, in a new hall bigger than the previous ones where, besides Band's weekly practice, students almost every day go to the music school.

Band’s Practice

During all its history the Band has always made practice during the evening, because music has always been a passion practiced after normal day-working, even in winter, when most of the musicians were free after the sunset. Obviously, going out in the evening when outside there was the war was neither simply nor easy, but music passion was always at the first place.

The Uniform

First Band’s uniform is of 1952. It was simply a hat, because money was not enough to buy a complete uniform. Before 1952 everybody tried to dress their very best. The first complete uniform was bought in 1988, thanks to doctor Morellato's and Count Vergerio's contributions. This uniform was kept for over twenty years, until generations of musicians followed one another together with the need of a renewal. Even now, if there had been changes to the uniform, it has happened thanks to the benefits of fan who take after the Band.

Historical persons

One of the persons we remember most is GIUSEPPE (BEPI) BALDUIT; he was chairman from 1962 to 1995, until he tragically died. During his first years he went from S. Donà di Piave, where he lived, to Eraclea, by his motor-cycle Guzzi. He was an insurance broker at Eraclea, and had his office in front of the town hall. Even if he was from S. Donà di Piave, he was really busy in Eraclea, especially on local associations: he was the chairman of the Celebrations Comitee, of AVIS, of "El Piave" Choir and obviously of the Band.

Musical Engagement’s History

In its first years the Band was engaged especially for religious celebrations, celebrated during the year, most on Sunday, nearly every week. One of the most important is that of Pilgrim Virgin Mary, hold in the middle of winter. Other important celebrations were hold in the nearest towns, like Cortellazzo, Jesolo and San Donà di Piave.

The 31st December's engagement, when the Band wishes a happy new year to all Eraclea, was born with the same Band. The Band walks through all the towns of Eraclea and stops to play near the shops, but in the past the Band passed in every house: the Band was divided in two or the groups made up by 7-8 persons who went to different directions (we must remember that at the time people was used to travell by bike, not by car, and that in winter this was more difficult). A group went to Isiata-Palazzetto, another one to Torre di Fine-Eraclea and the last one to Brian-La Salute.

Musicians usually left on 31st December morning, nearly at 08.00 am, then visited by bike every home, playing music and wishing a happy new year. People used to give them a glass of hot wine and sometimes some food or money. Musicians ate their luch (prepared at home) during their tour and continued playing even until 11.00 pm. Next day, for harder musicians, there was the tour through Eraclea until 12.00 pm. The money or food people had given them was left to poorer people. Eraclea Town Band has performed even outside Italy. Since 2006 it has cultural exchanges with the German Band from Inzing-Torring, thanks to the help of our German friend Udo Bromberger.

The Band exhibited also in many important national squares, like Piazza Unità d'Italia in Triest, for the Lagunari National Meeting, in Piazza San Marco in Venice, for the 52nd edition of the International Festival of Contemporary Music. The Band on that occasion had played for Biennale Musica, for the prima of conductor Luca Francesconi's "Fresco" and had the honour of being conducted by the Swedish conductor Michael Summers.