Our History
Our History
The Concordia sulla Secchia Concert Band is very ancient, having been founded in 1811. This places it among the oldest band associations still operating.
Our town's ensemble was, and still is, called "Società Filarmonica" – the term philharmonic derives from Greek and means music lover – and is named after Giustino Diazzi (1880-1946), an important maestro and director from Concordia.
Giustino Diazzi (1880–1946)
A place of sociality and culture
During two centuries of history, the headquarters of the Philharmonic was moved dozens of times and was mostly situated in somewhat precarious environments; nevertheless, thousands of concordiesi have crossed its threshold over time and many became part of the Band.
In times when there were not many recreational or leisure possibilities, the band environment always represented not only a way to learn the most beautiful art in the world, music, but also a healthy and stimulating place to socialize.
10,000 hours of volunteering
Conductor Marco Bergamaschi
Director since 1994 is Prof. Marco Bergamaschi. He graduated in trombone at the Reggio Emilia conservatory; he then specialized in music teaching and Band direction.
Professor Bergamaschi's educational path highlights the impossibility of improvisation in today's band world and how necessary updated tools and professionalism are to obtain appreciable results: the band also changes with the times and new techniques and methodologies must be added to ancient passion.
Strengthened by the inherited legacy and the presence of the modern and functional new headquarters, under his direction the ensemble repertoire soon expanded significantly with strong youth participation.
Over 50 members and great achievements
Currently, the Philharmonic features an ensemble of over 50 members, with significant participation from young musicians trained within our music school. In our auditorium with exceptional acoustics, in 2000 our ensemble recorded its first Compact Disc and prepared for national and international competitions, such as the one in Riva del Garda, achieving results of absolute excellence.
From the Bicentenary to the Earthquake
In 2011, to celebrate its 200 years of life, the first book of the history of the Concordia Philharmonic was published, to which a complex series of cultural events were added throughout the year to worthily celebrate the remarkable milestone.
A few months later, the unpredictable: the earthquake that hit Emilia in May 2012. Fate dramatically reminded us that you can't rest on your laurels and the Philharmonic, like the whole community of Concordia sulla Secchia, rolled up its sleeves, for the umpteenth time in its history.
The previously mentioned headquarters is damaged and unfit for use: the Band has therefore started its eternal uncertain wandering again. The Theater also unfit for use, in the bad season we perform wherever we can, even under tents.
Never stop
With everyone's help, we believe we can make an important contribution to the rebirth of our town. For a page of history that closes, another inevitably opens: in our hands the possibility of writing new chapters of an ancient and always new journey, which we want to continue to be a reference for our entire community.
— Bergamaschi Massimo