Between Tradition and Modernity

The concert repertoire of the "Banda Musicale della Polizia di Stato" could be considered a synthesis or résumé of the music for wind instruments composed throughout the history of music, covering a variety of popular genres in various historical periods.

The Banda has always shown a strong interest in keeping up with the times by constantly rethinking and renovating its repertoire.

Their vast repertoire, which is considered one of the most complete and representative among peers, not only juxtaposes classical composers (Beethoven, Wagner, Rossini, Verdi, Mussorgsky, Ravel, and others) with original compositions for wind orchestras by modern and contemporary composers such as Hindemith, Schonberg, Holst, Barnes, Reed, and Sparke, but shows a deep sensibility to the masterpieces of the symphonic and choral repertoire (Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Orff).

The Banda debuted in 1928 under the direction of Giulio Andrea Marchesini, and now boasts 105 musicians, including piano and guitar as well as wind and percussion instruments.

Thanks to the talent and artistry with which the Banda performs and interprets its high quality program, it can be rated among the finest wind orchestras in the world.

Proof of this lies in its collaboration with prestigious musical institutions such as the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, the Rome Opera House, the Comunale of Florence, and great world-famous artists such as Mariella Devia, Leon Bates, Vincenzo La Scola, Fiorenza Cedolins, Cheryl Porter, Steven Mead, and Stefano Bollani.

The Banda's performances in Jerusalem, New York, Essen, Mexico, Malta, and Oslo, where it represented Italy with great success, stimulated great interest abroad and increased its prestige internationally. Of particular interest were the Columbus Day celebrations in New York in 2008, when the Banda performed at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan and the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Under the direction of Maestro Maurizio Billi, the Banda has reached an undisputed quality level as demonstrated by its many recordings which have been greeted with unanimous approval by listeners and enthusiasts.