The Câmara Municipal de Angra do Heroísmo held a ceremony last Friday, February 6, to honor conductors and musicians from the island’s local philharmonic bands, publicly recognizing their dedication, long service, and contribution to preserving and promoting Terceira’s cultural heritage.

The event brought together representatives from several philharmonic societies and highlighted the historic, cultural, and social role these institutions have played over generations. Long regarded as cornerstones of Terceira’s cultural life, philharmonic bands serve as spaces for musical training, intergenerational exchange, and community engagement, reinforcing a strong sense of local identity.

Speakers emphasized the sustained, largely volunteer-based work of conductors and musicians who keep this deeply rooted tradition alive in local parishes, contributing to arts education, community cohesion, and the vitality of festivals and cultural celebrations across the island.

City officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the philharmonic bands, recognizing them as living cultural heritage and an essential element of the municipality’s identity.

“This tribute recognizes the tireless work of our conductors and musicians and the irreplaceable role philharmonic bands play in the cultural life of both the municipality and the island,” said Fátima Amorim, president of the Angra do Heroísmo City Council. “As a public institution, it is our responsibility to continue valuing and supporting these organizations, ensuring their legacy remains alive, active, and accessible to present and future generations.”

From Press Release

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.