The Street Seen: Municipal Band
Santa Monica
From 1912 to 1947, the City of Santa Monica funds a highly regarded Municipal Band. In the early years, the professional military-style concert band is heavily comprised of Italian immigrants.
A Band Plaza with seating for 6,000 is located in front of the Municipal Auditorium. The 30-piece Tommasino Band, considered to be one of the finest bands in the nation, performs twice daily (2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.), under a long-term contract.
Louis Gasdia (1876 – 1939) is the manager and Alfredo Salvatore Tommasino (1880 - 1973) is the conductor of the Santa Monica Municipal Band from 1921 to 1923.
In late 1925, there is internal dissention in the band, leading to the City terminating the band. Guiseppe Gallo (1877 – 1945), a former band player, wins the City contract to provide a band in 1927.