The Banda Musicale “Bernardo Demuro” was born in the summer of 1913 thanks to the then parish priest Don Pietro Casu, who brought together some local musicians. The Band immediately took on the name of the famous tenor Bernardo Demuro, a distinguished Tempiese citizen who had made a name for himself in major Italian and foreign theaters, particularly in Spanish and South American theaters. The Band made its public debut in 1914 with Maestro Nuvoli of Bosa. Historically, it participated in the Inauguration of the Hippodrome of Chilivani on May 27, 1921, in the presence of King Vittorio Emanuele III; in the Jubilee of 2000 in which the Band performed in concert at the Angelus in Castelgandolfo, which was followed by a meeting with John Paul II and Secretary of State Angelo Sodano; and in the bicentennial of the Diocese of Ozieri in 2003, where it met, in the Aula Nervi in the Vatican, John Paul II.
Several are the Maestros who have succeeded to the Direction: Nuvoli (the first Maestro), De Biasi, Bezzi, Casu, Pinna, Busellu, Don Ruju, Campus, Piga, Fais, Grixoni, Demuru, Meloni and the current Director Lucio Sebastiano Demuru. Among the people who were born and raised in the Band, one cannot fail to mention Paolo Fresu, who began his band activity at the age of 11 “playing strange nonsense music” (so say the band members a bit ahead of his years and who watched him grow up) and who, whenever he returns to the village, does not miss an opportunity to play with his band.
The Band has participated and participates in various civil and religious events, rallies and concerts, not only in Berchidda, but also in different centers in Sardinia and Italy (in 1989 in Folgaria, Trentino, in 1992 in Sella Nevea, Friuli, in 2002 in La Tour D’Aigues, France); in 2009, it participated in the TV program on Rai2 Sereno Variabile hosted by Alberto Bevilacqua; every year, it actively participates, with a concert, in the “Time in Jazz” Festival.
Currently the Band is composed of about 40 musicians, whose ages range from 11 to …81. Every year courses are organized, financed by the Region of Sardinia, the Province of Olbia – Tempio and the Municipality of Berchidda, which allow the inclusion of new members in the staff and the improvement of the same members, initiating many young people to music and ensuring their continued participation.
