The history of Banda Musicale di Aggius dates back to 1938, on the initiative of the Società di Mutuo Soccorso, and since then, for almost half a century, it accompanied with its music several religious and civil anniversaries, in different countries of Sardinia.
At the time of his birth, in the village schooling was very limited. So the first students came together under the direction of master Azara helped by the police sergeant De Marco, a skilled musician who strove to learn the technique of the use of the instrument and the young craftsman Italo Muntoni, who some years later, would inherit the leadership of the gang.
With the Master Muntoni, authentic music pioneer, it began the long pilgrimage to the countries of Gallura, thus contributing, despite the enormous difficulties of communication that existed, not only to the propagation of the band, but also the purchase of musical instruments (from Milan, Bergamo, Macerata) whose cost was quite substantial.
Since the instruments were slow to arrive, the components of the band practiced with instruments made by hand, and practised solfège for three years. The money for the purchase of the first instruments were generously anticipated by Mr. Pietro Serra, called “Bombolo”, admirer and supporter of Aggius band.
In 1953 the direction was entrusted to the Master Giovanni Antonio Addis, who among other things, had the honour – along with his band – to make in 1955 along with the chorus of Aggius of Salvatore Stangoni, “Galletto di Gallura”, the last greeting to the dear departed tenor Bernardo Demuro.
Master Addis, who experienced the birth of the band in 1938, first as a student of Master Azara and Master Muntoni and after as director until 1985.
From 1985 onwards, several leading figures unfolded the direction of the band, Professor Giuseppe Peru, graduated and majored in clarinet, Andrea Biancareddu, graduated in flute, and then Prof. Joseph Peru, current director. Despite the great Aggius musical tradition and the deep love for music, that inextricably links citizens to the band, in recent years we have seen a gradual decrease in the number of students. Therefore, the main intend of the band is now to reset the course of musical orientation which has always allowed a constant change and enrichment of the music association members.
Extremely linked to ordinary people and to the local social tissue, the Band has become in effect a symbol of the cultural activity of the country.
Today it includes about 40 elements, and thanks to continuous practice all components undergo, it has reached a considerable merit execution. This music sync earned it both in 1979 and in 1980 the first prize in the Regional Band Competition that, for some years, was hold in Tempio during the carnival.
Info and contacts
Banda Musicale Italo Muntoni
Via Gallura, 12 – 07020 Aggius (OT)
Tel.: +39 360 621136