Welcomes of the President

Felice Cattaneo President IMSB, Italian Marching Show Bands I am extremely pleased and honoured to present the 4th Italian Marching Show Bands Championship. This year the WAMSB (World Association of Marching Show Bands) has classified it as a qualifying event for the World Championships 2009-2010. Hence, the competition is “open” to Italian bands registered in the IMSB and also to foreign marching bands. This highly relevant acknowledgement has been obtained through the extensive commitment dedicated to organising both past competitions and important events that have contributed much appreciated added value to the scene of Italian musical shows. Many youth from different nations will compete in a competition towards which each one will contribute their musical and choreographic styles, culture and traditions. But they will especially concretise the steady work performed with a considerable investment of tenacity, determination and commitment. The effort can only be repaid by the presence of a large and enthusiastic audience, which, through marching bands, has found that the thrill of exciting shows held in stadiums is not the prerogative of either football or rock “stars”. Hence I am deeply grateful to Busto Arsizio’s Municipal Administration for the hospitality granted and, I am equally grateful to regional and provincial institutions for having backed this event’s implementation. A warm welcome to Italian and foreign bands participating in the competition, guest bands and all those who are sharing this festive musical event with us.