As in many other cities in Latin America, Medellin witnessed many in economic, social and cultural changes in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Progressive movements associated with the ideals of modernity permeated all the social classes emerging at the time. It was in this context that the Military Band came to form part of the city’s cultural and intangible heritage and its concerts were constructed, established and consolidated as a tradition in a society avid for progress. This article analyses these profound transformations in the period between 1887 and 1929, when the Military Band of Medellin was directed by the maestros Paulo E. Restrepo, Rafael D’Aleman and Gonzalo Vidal. The analysis is conducted from the perspective of cultural history, using the historical press as the primary source.