The Corps of Music in the sovicese tradition

Even if the foundation year  of  "G. Verdi" takes place officially on 1^ST January 1908, the Band's history begins much earlier.

In fact, already in the last decades of  ' 800, a group of  people keen of music, , made up a "Circolo Mandolinistico",  which was composed of stringed instruments players and some flutes and clarinets. During the following years brass players joined the group and the Band was born.

Vittore and Angelo Recalcati brothers  were the founders of what we today call "Corps of Music G. Verdi". Vittore was also the first master of the band, in those years in which the corps could maintain itself exclusively thanks to the passion of the members, who financed personally all their activities. One of the first public manifestations of the band took place in 1909, at the  station in Macherio, to welcome the parish priest don Arrigoni, who was later one of the main supporters of the Corps. Also the welcome to the veterans from the Libyan front is to be remembered.

During the first World war the band's activity was suspended. In 1919 thanks to the musicians and don Arrigoni, the Band started again its activity and master  Sbarra from Monza began to direct the  Corps of Music. Though his professionality, he could improve the value of the corps and not only it  became larger, but also improved considerably its artistic activity.

Master Sbarra was forced to leave the Corps in 1923; master Bianchi took his place, and he remained in Sovico for approximately one year. Little after in fact, the band was dissolved. It was reconstituted only in 1928, thanks to Count Alberto Rossi-Martini and the parish priest don Arrigoni, who recovered the musical instruments which were lodged in the Town Hall. Master Sbarra came back again very glad to our town and took again the direction of  G. Verdi Corps. He was supported by Ferrario Luigi, as vice-master, a good clarinet player.

In this period the seat of the band was definitively established at the  "Association of veterans". This was a very good period for the Musical Corps G. Verdi; its reputation began to expand everywhere in Brianza, thanks to the innovations of the musical repertory, which added symphonic pieces to the usual march's. The number of the members increased  to fifty elements, tanks to the moral and material support of Count Alberto Rossi-Martini; in fact, for instance, he presented the Band with the new uniforms in 1936. On this occasion a great concert took place at the Oratorio, where  the bands of Sovico and Monza played together, grouping more than 100 elements.

Meanwhile, in 1943 master Sbarra was replaced by master Bonardi from Milan, while the Presidency, after Conte Alberto Rossi-Martini, was kept by the President of Association of veterans; first Canzi Mario, then Pirola Telesforo, a great activist of the Corps of Music until 1954.

During the post-war period, the band suffered many abandonments because of social tensions and growing innovations.

In 1954 Mr. Villa Filippo assumed the Presidency of  "G. Verdi", which  counted only about twenty elements at the time. He reorganized both the activities and the finances of the band, with the assistance of the Association of veterans too.

Master Bonardi left his assignment in 1955 and was replaced by master Andreoni from Milan. In 1958 also  the vice-master Mr. Ferrario abandoned his activity and was well replaced by  Mr. Pirola Telesforo. In that year the 50° foundation anniversary  was celebrated, with a manifestation during which the members of the; Musical Corps was rewarded with a certificate of thankfulness.

The President Filippo Villa abandoned his assignment in 1967 after he had adopted a new uniform.

The Presidency remained vacant until 1979, when it was assumed by Gatti Fermo.

After master Andreoni there was, in 1970, master De Carlini, from Milan. Finally, in 1974 master Martorella arrived .

Gatti Fermo maintained his Presidency till April 1996.

In the same year the presidency was assumed by Dr. Marco Gatti, who took the place of his father Fermo.

Nowadays the Corps of Music  is made up of  51 elements, 19 females and 32 males; 38 members of the group are younger than 35 years old. Master Emilio Zerbato has been directing the Band since 1995, year in which he graduated himself in clarinet at  the Academy of Music "A. Boito " in Parma.