CAMAGÜEY.- Not every criteria recognize the same date for the birthday of Camagüey Concert Band. September 19^th has stayed for celebration, even if it was a symbolic birth, because in 1919 there was only the idea of the foundation.

In this date it was published in the newspaper El Camagüeyano the chapter record of the City hall, where it was informed the necessary budget for the acquisition of the instruments and José Álvarez Varona was appointed director. Successively, that paper would announce the auction to raise funds and the convocation of musicians.

The Municipality Music Band debuted on November 12^th in a parade in tribute to Ignacio Agramonte. However, the people did not notice the difference between the military officers that offered the concerts in the central park and the new band that was wearing the police uniform and, to top it all, marched behind this authority.

Other references are the performance of the National Anthem in front of the City Hall on May 20^th, the following year in the anniversary of the Republic; and the signature by a mayor of the official constitution act on May 29^th, 1920. They were still wearing the uniform made of denim.

Such incidents and other comlexities have marked the hard survival for the future Camagüey Provincial Concert Band that became centenary this Thursday, for the pride of the members and the audience of all times.

In Agramonte Park, institutions and organisms of the province recognized the work of the group, and also several of its members deserved a recognition, among them, the euphonium Roberto Cortés Monzón, who has been in the band for 50 years.

The assistant director Luis Moncada was the lead of the pieces Oregón and the medley Aires cubanos; and the tenure, Gerardo Vasconcelos, headed the march Viejo camarada, the pasodoble Amortillado and Arguyo, Sur Pacífico, Clásicos de Oro and the closing danzón Su majestad la Reina Isabel.

“Our Provincial Concert Band has a great institutional value, because we are everywhere in the province, in the political rallies, they call us for any activity, let it be a wake or a party. We know the cultural importance that we have. We are willing to always give a concert”, said Gerardo Vasconcelos to Adelante Digital.

The economical conjuncture limited the centenary celebration program. Last Sunday meeting was canceled, conceived for the interaction with the municipality bands. On the other hand, this September 19^th, the Band played in its Agramonte Park with the intensity to be centenary.

Work of the determination.

Translated by Elianna Diaz Mendieta