The Our Lady of Light Band of Fall River will have an opportunity to make history once again on March 13 by becoming the first Portuguese band to perform at Boston Symphony Hall, acoustically one of the top concert halls in the world.
A great July 4th in Fall River, the city is back and better than ever heraldnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FALL RIVER – Maestro Manuel M. Canito, considered by many as the king of the Portuguese marching band world, was laid to rest on Monday.
As his coffin and family and friends exited Fall River’s Santo Christo Church, the Our Lady of Light Band, which he co-founded and conducted for nearly five decades, said its final farewell by playing a funeral march he composed.
Those who knew him not just as a musician but as a community leader offered accolades and reminiscences, while saying the Portuguese community has lost a legend.
“His music is going to live on forever,” said Scott Lopes, current music director and conductor of Our Lady of Light Band. “He was a master at music… music was his life. We were fortunate to have him as our leader.”