I.C. Pertini 87° - Don Guanella Christmas Concert

A Christmas tradition born in the classroom

The I.C. Pertini 87° - Don Guanella Christmas Concert is one of the most cherished musical events in Scampia's December calendar. It does not originate in a theater or auditorium, but in a public school in the Scampia district of Naples, and is staged at the Parrocchia della Resurrezione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, overlooking Piazza della Libertà. The performers are the students of the comprehensive school, accompanied by their music teachers.

The «Sandro Pertini» Choir and Orchestra

The heart of the afternoon is the «Sandro Pertini» Choir and Orchestra, the ensemble from the school's music department. For the December 2025 edition, the students' preparation was entrusted to the teachers of the school's four instrumental classes:

• Flute — class of Professor Alessandra Sigillo
• Clarinet — class of Professor Francesca Manco
• Piano — class of Professor Elisabetta Russo
• Guitar — class of Professor Vincenzo Liguori

The initiative is overseen by the school principal Tania Vece, who has made it one of the most recognizable public moments in the school's life.

More than just an end-of-year recital

In Scampia, music is never just music. In a neighborhood that has been working for years to improve its image and opportunities, the middle school's music program is one of the concrete tools used to keep young people engaged, providing them with discipline and a sense of visible achievement. The December concert is the moment when this work leaves the classroom and is showcased to the neighborhood: parents standing at the back of the nave, younger siblings, neighbors, and the parish community.

The Parrocchia della Resurrezione in Piazza della Libertà

The choice of the church is not accidental. The Parrocchia della Resurrezione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo is a key landmark in the social fabric of Scampia, a space that regularly hosts activities for young people. The acoustics of the nave and the intimate atmosphere of a mid-December afternoon provide a setting for the students' Christmas repertoire that a school gymnasium could never offer.

What to expect

It is a short, accessible concert built on a repertoire of classic and popular Christmas carols, alternating between the choir and the school orchestra. There are no famous guests or elaborate stage effects: the strength of the event lies in the participation, the emotion of the students performing in their first concert, and the warmth of the audience. The duration is around one hour, consistent with the capabilities of a young ensemble.

Naples, Campania, and youth music

The experience of I.C. Pertini 87° - Don Guanella is part of a deeply rooted tradition in Campania, where music-focused schools and youth orchestras have taken on a recognized educational and social role over the years, with regional projects that bring students from comprehensive schools to perform together even in the squares of Scampia. The school's Christmas concert is the most intimate and everyday version of this movement: no prestigious stage, but a neighborhood in the northern outskirts of Naples coming together to listen to its children.

How to follow upcoming editions

The event does not have a dedicated website: dates are communicated by the school and the parish a few weeks in advance through the school's portal, local neighborhood press, and word of mouth among families. Those wishing to attend from outside the neighborhood should verify the confirmation of the edition before traveling.