A Short Sketch of the Life of Cesare La Monica
(from an undated program), 1914, 1913, 1909, 1908, 1901, 1886
"Cesare La Monica was born in San Severo, Italy, Province of Foggia (Puglie), June 23rd, 1886, (about one hundred miles from Naples). Although his parents were not musicians, they loved music very much, and decided that their two sons should become musicians. Cesare began his studies at the age of seven. At the age of ten he played the cornet in the celebrated Banda Bianca (White Band), Italy's first-class band of 60 musicians. This was the rival ban of Banda Rossi (Red Band), from the same city in Italy which came to America under the direction of Sorrentino in 1908. Cesare traveled Italy with Band Bianca for four years.
"His brother sent for him to come to America, he having been here one year, and in 1901 he came to America to play with Ellery's band, Creatore, director. (This was Creatore's first band in America.) Traveled America from coast to coast for three years. In 1908 Cesare had his first band in Los Angeles, meeting with great success. In 1909 he went to Santa Barbara for a three months' engagement, and he pleased the public to such an extent that his engagement lasted five years, giving daily concerts
"In 1913 he played at Idora Park in Oakland a six weeks' engagement, his band numbering 35 musicians. Also played in the Greek Theatre in Berkeley to a crowd of 12,000 people. He returned to Santa Barbara to finish his contract. In 1914 he came to Venice, starting an engagement on May 1st."
(His three quarter photo features a wedding band, epaulets, olive leaves on the cuffs, a Greek lyre shoulder patch, and two medals which look as though they should be emblematic.)
(On the facing page there is a photo of the twenty-three musician band, with the sign La Monaca Venice of America Band, hung between the stanchions of the Chimes and a marching standard, Venice of America Band.) In the first row, right to left, they identify "Domenico De Nisi, Bb Cornet; Erminio Di Lecce, Bb Cornet; Pasquale Santa Emma, Solo Bb Cornet; Guiseppe Rucci, Eb Clarinet; Gaetano Invone, Piccolo and Flute; Pietro Canelli, Solo Bb Clarinet; Levino Barilotti, Bb Clarinet: Antonio Scarpa, Bb Clarinet; Amodio Melillo, Bb Clarinet: Luigi Bellelli, Bb Clarinet, Soprano and Alto Saxophone.
"Back row right to left: Antonio Macario, Solo French Horn; Vincenzo Mignon, Melophone: Vincenzo Frezza, Melophone: Emidio Barilotti, Solo Baritone: Guiseppe Berardinelli, BBb Tuba: Cesare La Monaca. Director: Francesco Di Paola, Bb Tuba: Guiseppe Gallo, Solo Trombone: Luigi Basile, Slide Trombone and Baritone; Filippo Bosio, Slide Trombone: Giovanni Tripicchio, Slide Trombone: Camillo Zaccaro. Saxophone; Ferruccio Copppoli, Bass Drum and Chimes: Andrea D'Iorio, Snare Drum, Timpany, Bells and Trap."
