Vendors
For a more in depth history of the Santa Lucia Marching Band Visit
A Proud Musical History in Omaha’s Little Italy Neighborhood
The Santa Lucia Festival Band is one of the cornerstones of the festival. Those who have celebrated The Queen’s exit from Saint Frances Cabrini church can not envision that moment without hearing the musicians performing the beautiful melody of ‘Santa Lucia’.
The band performs each day of the Santa Lucia Festival, and next to the Saint herself, is one of the biggest reasons festivalgoers attend each year. Over the years, the band has had offers to travel across the Midwest to perform their music. While members haven’t accepted any of those offers, the band does play several times throughout the year at concerts in the parks, and at La Festa Italiana.
If you look closely to the left, that fella in the dark suit…Rocky Marciano, just hanging with members of the band back in the day.
Band Conductor
Mike DiGiacomo
Mike DiGiacomo is the 5th band conductor in the festival's long history. in 2018, Mike took over the baton from his dad, Dominic "Don" DiGiacomo who retired in 2017. Mike is a third generation trumpet player and former member of the Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band. At Nebraska, he participated in 4 straight Orange Bowl parades and halftime shows, as well as at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. for Johnny Carson's induction into the Center.
Mike has been a member of the festival band since he was 13 years old. He has not missed a year playing in the band since.
Band Conductor Emeritus
Dominic "Don" DiGiacomo
In 2018, Dominic (Don) DiGiacomo retired after 40 years leading the festival band. He was tapped as conductor in 1977 by the festival committee. Don played his first note with the Santa Lucia Festival band in 1945, at the age of 12.
Don is a 2nd generation trumpet player in the band. His father, Joe DiGiacomo, played trumpet, and can be seen in some of the very first pictures of the marching band, then under
the direction of Peter Cosentino. Don’s son Mike carries on the 3rd generation. He first put on the red, white & green cummerbund when he was 13.
Don was the 4th director in the history of the band that dates back to the early 1920′s. He follows in the footsteps of long-time & well-known conductor Vincent Emmanuel.