April in Music

A festival that smells of spring

When April arrives in Occhieppo Inferiore, so does the music. For nearly twenty years, the Philharmonic Society of Occhieppo Inferiore has transformed this small town in the Province of Biella, nestled at the entrance to the Elvo Valley in the heart of Piedmont, into a widespread stage. April in Music is a festival that does not seek large crowds but rather quality and intimacy: a few carefully chosen concerts capable of showcasing very different musical languages.

Origins and spirit

Born in 2007, the festival has grown edition after edition while keeping its soul intact: bringing the local public closer to live music in all its forms. Organized by the Philharmonic in collaboration with the municipal administration, the Parish of Sant'Antonino and San Clemente, and the Pro Loco, with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella, April in Music has become one of the most anticipated events of the Biella spring. Over the years, the program has hosted choirs, youth bands, jazz big bands, renowned trumpeters, and early music ensembles.

The venues

The concerts take place mainly in two spaces in the town, each with its own atmosphere:

• The Salone Polivalente, the ideal venue for more rhythmic evenings and band concerts;
• The Church of San Clemente, a jewel that, with its intimate acoustics, hosts sacred, baroque, and chamber music.

A variety of genres

The strength of April in Music lies in its variety. In a single edition, one can move from post-war Italian jazz, with its swing and evergreen songs, to the refined sounds of 17th and 18th-century European baroque, and on to the lively arrangements of youth bands. It is a festival that speaks to everyone, from classical music enthusiasts to the curious looking to discover less-frequented repertoires.

An event for the community

All concerts have free admission, subject to availability. More than just a concert season, April in Music is a meeting point for the inhabitants of Occhieppo Inferiore and the entire Elvo Valley, and over time it has maintained a charitable vocation, with initiatives whose proceeds have been donated to local causes. A great little example of how musical culture can take root and flourish even in the smaller centers of the Biella area.