The Italian Brass Band has played their part in the recent DIBA Conducting Forum held in Rome.

Ten young conductors from all areas of Italy took to the podium at the Amleto Lacerenza Auditorium of the Goffredo Mameli Barracks in Cecchignola, home of the Italian Army Symphonic Band.

Opportunity

The event organised by DIBA (Italian Band Conductors Association) aims to give aspiring conductors the opportunity to work with different ensembles.

Each took the opportunity to work with the band on compositions as diverse as the 'Elegy' from John Ireland's 'Downland Suite' and Holst's 'Moorside Suite' to Peter Graham's 'Gaelforce' and Philip Sparke's 'March Brioso'.

The event was the second part of the Italian Brass Band's 'Autumn in Brass 2026' series that has seen them extend their artistic reach within their home city and beyond under MD, Major Filippo Cangiamila, who is the conductor of the Italian Symphonic Army Band and the former founding conductor of the Italian Brass Band itself.

He assisted throughout the rehearsal, providing both technical and musical advice and in helping the understanding of the specific characteristics of both the repertoire and the ensemble's capabilities.

Wonderful event

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It was a wonderful event to be part of, especially working with conductors with their own styles and musical sensitivities. Their appreciation of the brass band as a musical medium was so refreshing — and their attention to balance between sections, intonation, articulation and sound management spoke of understanding and respect."

They added: "This was another wonderful opportunity to reach out beyond our concert performances, and it has already created a dialogue with a wider musical community, and especially conductors who all wanted to find out more about brass bands and the music we can play."

Thrilled

One person who was partially impressed was DIBA MasterPass Maestro, Jo Conjaerts, an internationally renowned conductor who worked with the participants throughout the training programme covering score analysis and conducting technique with the conductors.

He later stated that he was thrilled by what he had heard and hoped a stronger relationship can now be built working with both the Italian Army symphonic Band and Italian Brass Band which can allow yet more conductors to benefit from this experience.

The spokesperson added: "For the Italian Brass Band, being invited as the ensemble at the centre of the masterclass represents an important recognition of the work carried out over recent years and another step in the development of brass band culture in Italy."