The story of the group starts at the end of the 40’s. During the Carnival time, 4-5 guys used to play the penny-whistle along the narrow streets of the village. The first name of the group was “Batteria” and the first guy who started this tradition was Gennaro Molinatti Gal, from Andrate. He was the only penny-whistle’s player for years!
The instrument used is not a common penny-whistle, but it is an ebony piccolo (Ziegler system) that has a very high and loud sound.
During the ages 1964-65 the group began to grow: the name was changed to “Equipe andratese” and the group started to go to the neighbouring villages too. The only aim of the group was the passion for the music and the amusement; in fact the official uniform has not been defined yet. In 1972 the Pont Saint Martin’s Pro Loco invited the group at their Carnival: the real group was established with the name of “Pifferi e Tamburi di Andrate”! An official uniform was created for the occasion, using red and black colors. Today it is still the same; however, with the entrance of the first girls, a new feminine uniform was defined.
At the beginning the team included only 8-9 players; 3 of them were penny-whistle players. Since then, the group grows and changes: someone joins and someone leaves.
During the first 90’s a banner was introduce in order to give a more official sound to the group: this was red and black as well, with the Andrate’s emblem in the center. For a few years, also 2 other flags were introduced in order to bring the region’s and village’s colors with the group.
We usually participate at some parades during the Carnival time with a few exceptions during the rest of the year.
