Music Bands

The Musical Band of Vila Verde was founded on October 31, 1936, by a committee composed of the following members: Aníbal Feio Soares de Azevedo, António Augusto dos Santos, Manuel de Oliveira, and Abílio Silva, under the name Banda dos Bombeiros Voluntários, conducted by Mr. Abílio Silva.

In 1939, the Band gained new momentum under Dr. António Ribeiro Guimarães, who joined the Board. The Band then became known as Banda Municipal de Vila Verde.

In 1955, the Band was conducted by Maestro Ferreira Pais, but activity was suspended in 1969 due to health reasons of Dr. António Ribeiro Guimarães, the distinguished director.

In 1972, António Fernandes Soares Marinho, José Soares da Silva Lago, Manuel Augusto, and António Fernandes Lago created the Legal Statutes, transforming the Band into an association, from which year it became known as Banda Musical de Vila Verde. Again, due to the health of the conductor, the Band suspended activity in 1974.

In 1981, activity resumed under the name Sociedade de Educação e Recreio Banda Musical de Vila Verde, with Mr. Alexandre Fonseca as conductor, who was replaced in 1985 by his brother, Agostinho Fonseca.

In 1991, Filipe Lopes da Silva assumed the position of conductor, which he left in 1996, with Agostinho Fonseca returning to the role until 2002.

In the 2002-2003 season, the Musical Band of Vila Verde had 45 members across various sections and operated a Music School with about 36 students, teaching Music Education and Instrument classes by three teachers under the supervision of the Band’s conductor.

Currently, the Musical Band of Vila Verde is experiencing one of its best periods, with Maestro Ferreira da Silva leading the baton.

The exact founding date of the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega is unknown. The oldest document is a score approximately 200 years old, but it is believed that the band is even older.

History – Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega

The Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega is over a century old, though its exact founding date is unknown. According to the accounts of older and deceased residents, the Musical Band of Pedregais was founded in 1735, by which time the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega already existed.

According to reports from some notable figures, the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega already performed at the festivities in Santo António Mixões da Serra, a location with bandstands dating back to the 16th century, where it is believed the band performed during that period.

Despite some challenges over the years, particularly regarding instruments and the departure of musicians for various reasons, the band is currently undergoing a rejuvenation process, strengthened and supported by its music school, choir, and youth orchestra.

Manuel João da Rocha, who passed away in 2006, served as President of this Musical Band for about 35 years. The current President is Carlos António de Sousa Alves, who has held the position for approximately 10 years.

Present Day

The band currently consists of approximately 50 members. It is notable that the majority of the band members are from the parish, and most of them are young, aged between 11 and 23 years.

The artistic direction of the band has been led by the young (25 years old) conductor José Duarte Carvalhosa since 2008, succeeding Maestro Joaquim Mendes.

The positive atmosphere within the band is one of the most highlighted features by musicians who have been part of it, alongside the high musical quality the band maintains, despite being composed of amateur musicians. Some of the students from the band’s music school also attend the Fernandes Fão Music Academy, Ponte de Lima branch.

The music school, choir, and youth orchestra are also integral activities within the musical band.

Conductor’s Curriculum

José Duarte Monteiro Carvalhosa was born in S. Martinho da Gandra – Ponte de Lima, in 1984. He began his musical studies at the age of 8 at a local music school, and in 1994 continued his studies at the Music School of the Banda de Música de S. Martinho da Gandra in the clarinet class, making his first performance in 1995. In 1999, he joined the Professional School of Viana do Castelo in the Clarinet Class with Professor Francisco Perez and later Professor Mário Bezerra, also studying Chamber Music and Orchestra with professors such as Miguel del Castillo, Cristóbal Soler, Jaroslav Mikus, Vasco Pearce de Azevedo, António Saiote, Paul Wakabayashi, Jan Cober, among others.

In 2002, he completed a Regional Conducting Course for Philharmonic Bands with Professors Francisco Ferreira and José Pedro Figueiredo, guided by Maestro Dr. Tristão Nogueira. Between 2002 and 2006, he attended a degree program in Music Education at the Escola Superior de Educação de Viana do Castelo.

In 2005, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Youth Orchestra of the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega, the Choir of the same Band, and was also responsible for the music school. In 2008, he assumed the Artistic Direction of the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega.

Since 2007, he has been a member of the Pedagogical Board of the Fernandes Fão Music Academy; he is the Artistic Director of the Musical Band of Aboim da Nóbrega; he teaches Musical Initiation, Ensemble Classes, and Project Area at the Academy; he coordinates the Music Curricular Enrichment Activities of the Municipality of Ponte de Lima; he trains music teachers involved in these activities; and he is a Music Expression teacher at the Secondary School of Ponte de Lima.