On September 9, 1872, a group of 27 dissident musicians from the Banda Municipal do Funchal, led by Mr. César José Coelho, founded the Banda Distrital do Funchal under the name of “Philarmonica Artístico Madeirense”. The first uniforms consisted of a blue coat, white trousers, and a straw hat.

On January 12, 1908, it was renamed “Real Philarmónica Artístico-Madeirense”, by diploma issued by King Carlos I.