Yesterday, August 11, 2021, the 150th anniversary of the founding of one of the most important collectives in the municipality of Estremoz, the Estremocense Artistic Philharmonic Society was celebrated and, to mark the date, the Mayor of Estremoz delivered, to the band’s representatives, a Letter of Recognition for the cultural action developed in the municipality of Estremoz, congratulating it on its 150th anniversary.
The Estremocense Artistic Philharmonic Society, aka União, was founded on August 11, 1871. From the first moment, its main activity was the intervention in philharmonic music with the constitution and maintenance of the Philharmonic Band. His first uniform was debuted in 1891, having been paid for by philharmonic musicians from performances performed at various events.
It has been a meeting point for generations and generations of people from Estremoz, with the foundation of the Orfeão de Estremoz “Tomaz Alcaide”, in 1930, of the Orquestra Típica Alentejana, and its Rancho Folclórica, on September 29, 1955. On the lyre of its standard there are testimonies and souvenirs of the various locations visited by the Banda Filarmónica, from the North to the Algarve, passing through the Lisbon Region, throughout the Alentejo and in Spanish Extremadura. In local terms, in addition to participating in Popular Marches and other local events, he has always collaborated in the Estremoz Carnival.
The activity was maintained over time thanks to the commitment and dedication of successive directors and generations of musicians. It currently has about 200 members and maintains the Philharmonic Band.
Currently, the Board is composed of President Miguel Belfo, Vice President Rui Rebola, treasurer João Belfo and secretaries Jorge Madeira and Tiago Monteiro.
