Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus was born from a small group of enthusiasts who got together in 1968 to participate in a religious feast of Santissima Trindad. Due to poor finance there were no instruments for them to use therefore this group of 13 individuals had to find ways to get some instruments. They ended up earning a few instruments & the rest of the instruments were lent to them so they were able to perform at the feast fantastically.

In 1969, this small group was later joined by 19 more enthusiasts & soon enough in the same year these individuals formed a band & appeared in public for the first time in a religious feast of Senhor Santo Cristo with about 30 elements under the conducting of maestro Zulmiro Silva. The musicians were uniformed & named them "Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus of Oakville."

Our band is the second oldest of the Portuguese bands of Ontario.

The band always stuck by its Portuguese culture musically even in a country so multicultural & diverse like Canada, it wasn't always easy to maintain especially to the young generation. The directors of this band were sincerely congratulated for their hard work in captivating youth in joining them in expressing something so wonderful that is "music," the universal language.

It was in 1975, under the conducting of maestro Zulmiro Silva that Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus went to the islands of Azores, specifically to the islands of Pico & Faial, in which the majority of its musicians were born.

Always participating in religious feasts in Ontario & always serving & accepted in the Portuguese community, the band always set an example of discipline & carried itself with dignity in expressing the culture of Portuguese music.

Being born & raised in the island of Pico, Azores conductor Zulmiro Silva one day decided to return to his homeland & soon afterwards his position as conductor was substituted for Sr. Joaquim Ferraz, whom also returned to his homeland two years later. At this time in 1985, Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus had its first professional maestro Sr. Joao Soares. He was the first sergeant of music that came to enrich the band artistically & showed so much pride that musicians were inspired & really liked him as a conductor.

In 1988, maestro Joao Soares brought the Filarmonica to the islands of Azores for the second time, especially to the islands of Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge & Terceira. The bands' presentation & performance was a success. For the first time in 1991, Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus went to the United States, to the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. They participated in a religious feast called the "Grandes Festas of the Divino Espirito Santo," performing an excellent concert under the conducting of Sr. Joao Soares.

1992, was a different year with a new set of directors & more youth involvement & the band returned to the United States for the second time. With so much acceptance & applause from audiences, the band reached an altitude of success in presentation, performance, and culture & art the musicians & directors were inspired to complete their first album. Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus was consisted of 56 elements with such dignity, excellence & their level of status kept increasing through their first military sergeant of music, Sr. Joao Soares.

In 1993 still under the conducting of Joao Soares, Filarmonica Bom Jesus had a small decrease in its musicians but they were still dedicated & inspired to complete a second album. The band had success with the album just as much as the first one.

Throughout many years the Filarmonica had a bit of a down time, but still managed to put together a music school with the teachings of fellow musician, Joao Viveiros. The music school was to introduce classical music & Portuguese culture to youth & to get them involved with the Portuguese community. They were happy with their first outcome that they decided to award the youth & take them to Montreal to a religious feast & to be a part of the parade in which they enjoyed. Since then we've captured many young musicians in joining us to be able to have the young generation involved.

Throughout many years & till this day, Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus has come across many struggles, tragedies, ups & downs, but the band has still appeared with pride, dignity & showed an excellence in performances no matter where they go. With the dedication of the musicians, directors, conductors, parents & everyone else involved, the band till this day has risen to its occasions & will always work hard in presenting, performing & bringing the public an excellence in achieving the culture of Portuguese music.

Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus is on its way to a 40th anniversary & we're still here in showing the talents of wonderful musicians, old & new, & will always work hard in serving the Portuguese community with musical culture.

With gratitude & honour in bringing the history of Filarmonica Lira Bom Jesus,

Luis Costa

Translated by: Dianna Furtado