Bands in the Square

Bands in the Square: the music of bands in the Savio Valley

Bande in Piazza is the historic summer band review of the Savio Valley, in the Apennines of the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna. Promoted by the Union of Municipalities of the Savio Valley with the support of the DMC *I Percorsi del Savio*, the event involves the Municipalities of Montiano, Sarsina, and Bagno di Romagna, transforming their squares into open-air stages for philharmonic bands, musical corps, and ensembles from all over Italy.

A history that began in 2004

The review was born in 2004 in Montiano under the name *Montiano in Musica*, on the initiative of the Corpo Bandistico dei Tre Monti APS. Over the years, the format has expanded: in 2023, Sarsina, the ancient birthplace of the Latin playwright Plautus, was added, and in 2024, the spa town of Bagno di Romagna. Today, the event spans multiple evenings distributed between June and August and has surpassed its twentieth edition, establishing itself as one of the most beloved cultural events of the summer in the area.

The format: the double stage

The distinctive feature of Bande in Piazza is the double stage: according to a now-established format, two or more bands share the same stage space and perform alternating performances, in a true musical dialogue. This format highlights the spirit of collaboration among the ensembles, the true heart of the initiative, and offers the audience rich and varied evenings, from light music to film scores, from classical pieces to traditional band repertoire.

In Bagno di Romagna, in Piazza Ricasoli

In the Municipality of Bagno di Romagna, the concerts take place in the central Piazza Ricasoli, the heart of the spa town nestled among the woods of the upper Savio valley. The Bagno di Romagna evening traditionally brings together several local ensembles and guests on stage: in recent editions, the Banda Musicale Santa Cecilia, the Banda Città di Sarsina, and the 3Monti Band have performed. All concerts begin at 9:00 PM.

A summer of music and the Apennines

Attending Bande in Piazza means combining a passion for live music with the discovery of some of the most charming villages in the Romagna Apennines. Bagno di Romagna, famous for its thermal baths and traditional cuisine, offers the ideal setting for a summer evening outdoors, amidst the notes of the bands and the welcoming atmosphere of Tuscan Romagna. Admission is free, confirming the popular and community-oriented nature of the review.