Meet La Banda!
Richard ("Rick") A. Macri, Executive Director & Leader
Rick has brought a high level of professionalism to the overall management of the La Banda delle Feste Italiane, particularly to its musical performances and overall operations. He is also a former officer in the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) - Local 248 and a former Project Director for the Recording Industries Music Performance Funds and the Film Funds. He is also a member of AFM Locals 16 and 802. His wide connections in the New Jersey music community have been a great asset to the La Banda delle Feste Italiane in recruiting players and key personnel.
Trumpeter Rick Macri, the band's founder, Executive Director, and leader, studied music in Brooklyn, NY with Deborah Kirschenbaum-Salama, William Shine, Enrico ("Hank") Cecilli, and William Vacchiano (former Principal Trumpet, NY Philharmonic). Rick played his first O'Giglio e Paradiso feast in Brooklyn's Northside in 1964. As a musician, Rick loved what he was doing and was the consummate entertainer. As a trumpeter, he has performed with the following groups: Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra; New Jersey Pops Orchestra; Adelphi Chamber Orchestra; Society Of Musical Arts Orchestra; Metropolitan Orchestra of N.J.; Garden State Opera; Manalapan Battleground Symphony; Somers Dream Orchestra; The Infernos; American Rapture; Tony Neglia Feast Band; Paramus Community Orchestra; Ramapo Wind Symphony; John Mical Big Band; Garden State Concert Band; and the Waldwick Concert Band. Rick exhibited a spirit and vitality through his music and personality that delighted people of all ages and backgrounds around the world.
Rick has served as La Banda delle Feste Italiane's Executive Director for over 8 years and plays the trumpet in the brass section of "la banda." He has served on the boards of of a number of non-profit organizations including the Junior Achievement of NYC (trustee), the Ramsey Junior Football Association (president), Ramapo Wind Symphony (trustee), and the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra (treasurer). Rick is a native of Brooklyn, NY, and has lived in New Jersey since 1983.
The boys in La Banda:
