Uniao Filarmonica A-da-Corda, Portugal
The year 1949 was just six days old when nineteen musicians from the Óbidos Band decided to establish a new ensemble that would represent their own community. Thus, the União Filarmónica de A-da-Gorda was born — a band rooted in collective vision, local pride, and musical passion. With modest support to acquire instruments, and under the direction of its first conductor, João Pereira da Costa, the band began rehearsals and soon made its first appearances.
Over the decades, the União Filarmónica de A-da-Gorda has marked its path with important milestones. In 1977, the band participated in the recording of an album, and in 2000 it recorded its first live CD in the town of Óbidos. The spirit of exchange and collaboration led the ensemble to form bonds with other musical groups: in 2010, it partnered with the Prainha Band from Pico Island (Azores), and in 2013 with the Ponta do Sol Municipal Band from Madeira. In 2017, the band returned
to the Azores, this time joining the Sociedade Filarmónica Lira Fraternal Calhetense from Calheta do Nesquim (Pico Island).
Driven by a desire for artistic renewal and social engagement, the band has developed a wide range of creative projects — often in dialogue with other performing arts — which have earned it recognition and support. Among these stand out the multidisciplinary productions Cinemúsica, Arrancho Musical, União das Artes and Diamante do Tempo. The band remains actively committed to values of environmental sustainability and social inclusion, principles that permeate its work and presence in the community.
The orchestra is conducted by conductor Pedro Filipe Ramos Lopes dos Santos.