The result of the work of Eduardo Luís Gama (1975-2014), Rui Rodrigues and the priest at the time of Eiras, Father Rogério Vieira, the Banda Filarmónica of Caniço e Eiras was founded on November 6, 2003, after a long process of constitution which had started in 2001. With registered office in the parish hall of the Church of Our Lady of Peace, Eiras Parish, at Abegoaria Street, 68, the most recent harmony of Santa Cruz from the beginning has developed a very important cultural dynamism, to promote the formation and the musical practice of the communities living in the highlands of Caniço – where the supply of institutions for artistic training is rare – and in other geographical areas of the municipality. Under the artistic guidance of Eduardo Gama, his first conductor, the training school has contributed extensively to the musical empowerment of the children’s, youth and adult communities of Caniço and Santa Cruz, guaranteeing several instrumentalists for membership of the harmony orchestra.
Under the artistic direction of Eduardo Gama, other positive initiatives, such as the creation of a carnival troupe, attended by more than one hundred members of this community, began in 2004, having been, badly, interrupted in 2011 and, as of beginning, resumed the following year.
The logo of the institution was invented in 2006, the 3rd anniversary of the institution. The banner, offered by the associate Manuela Serôdio, was, two years later, presented on the occasion of the 5th anniversary. With the premiere of his official anthem, written by Eduardo Gama, the Banda Filarmónica do Caniço e Eiras welcomed, in May 2009, after the celebration of the Eucharist of Pentecost Sunday, the President of the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira at the time, Dr. Alberto João Jardim, clergy and other public figures present.
After several presentations at religious and other civic events celebrations, Banda Filarmónica do Caniço e Eiras has participated finally in the Regional Meeting of Bands in 2008 in Ribeira Brava, consists of forty musicians trained in the institution under the direction of Eduardo Gama. In March 2013, the Banda Filarmónica do Caniço e Eiras was given a head office by Caniço City Council, which assigned to it the old nursery school building, located in the João Gonçalves Zarco road, 98. Rehabilitated by the executives and associates of the institution, the head office serves the regular performance of rehearsals and activity of the School of Music Training “O Cebolinha”. For its productive training and artistic activity, the Banda Filarmónica do Caniço e Eiras benefits, in addition to the contributions of its associates, grants allocated, under the protocol, by the municipality of Santa Cruz and parish of Caniço for the payment to the trainers, for the purchase of instruments and uniforms, and provision of transport, as well as the support of Casa do Povo Caniço and the Parish of Eiras. Currently consisting of 48 musicians, including several students in training, the Banda Filarmónica do Caniço e Eiras, under the presidency of Paulo Nóbrega and under the artistic direction of Rui Pita, participated in religious festivals, local festivals, solidarity campaigns and civic ceremonies and develops a remarkable concert activity.