The Artesia DES band was founded in 1972 (although the Portuguese Community of Artesia had a band from 1927-1945). We are the second oldest Portuguese band in California. The origin of the band goes back to January of 1972 when a group of men researched the possibility of forming a musical group to play for a "Danca de Espada" (typical medieval theatrical dance)organized by Anselmo Correia and others.

These men were successful in putting together such a project that a few months later - in August of 1972 - they were asked to play at a "Portuguese Day" celebration - promoted by the Eagle Soccer Club - at Artesia Park. The first song they played was called "O Teu Trompete". From then on the idea of founding a Portuguese band grew stronger.

On 27th of July of 1973 the band played at the celebration of the "Holy Spirit" in Artesia, for the first time under the name of Artesia Portuguese Band. In 1974, the Filarmonica was incorporated into the Artesia DES, thus becoming the Filarmonica do Artesia D.E.S.

The man who organized and worked hardest for this to happen was Antonio Diniz Coelho, who also played Tuba in the band until 1993. He gathered all of the musicians, rented or borrowed instruments, transposed music from the scores, and made all of the music copies before xerox machines were available. He was also in the fore front in getting instruments and uniforms for the band when it became a permanent fixture in our community.


Throught our history we have represented our hall and our Portuguese Community all over California, as well as Fall River, Massachusetts (in 1997),the Azores Islands (in 1986 and 2002), and Toronto, Canada (2007). We also organized the first "Festival das Filarmonicas" in California in 2004. We plan to continue visiting many parts where immigrants have settled or where our forefathers came from.

This year we have a total of 55 musicians. We practice an average of two days a week for most of the year. Our practice room is in the Portuguese DES Hall, adjacent to the soccer club room. The room has been enlarged and improved for better sound quality and better work condition. Every year two directors represent us in the general assembly meetings of the Portuguese DES Hall organization. There, we get approval for many of our plans that require finances. To provide a music output level of good quality, our musicians sacrifice many hours a week away from their families and even financial opportunity. Overall, our musician is a person with passion for music and great interest in keeping the traditional celebrations animated.

This year we have a very seasoned group of players (about 50% are less than 20 years old). We have some new players, playing for the first time and many of the older players returned after a several year hiatus. Therefore, our greatest goal this year is to practice, shape and harmonize this group.