Pride Bands Alliance
Music. Visibility. Pride. Pride Bands Alliance is a membership organization of LGBTQ+ community concert and marching bands from cities around the world.
Formerly Le***an and Gay Band Association, we were founded in 1982 as Le***an and Gay Bands of America when seven independent bands met formally in Chicago. Over the past 40 years, Pride Bands Alliance has grown to include 36 member organizations in the United States, Canada, Australia and England. Pride Bands remains dedicated to its original goals of promoting LGBTQ+ Music, Visibility and Pride
06/10/2023
Congratulations Houston Pride Band 🥳
Wow! 🌈 Thank you Houston! ❤️ We are honored to be voted as Favorite Houston LGBT Performing Arts Organization in the annual Gayest & Greatest awards from OutSmart Magazine! We love being Houston's community band! We hope to see you all at MATCH for our next concert on December 9th at 8 pm. Lots of love to our co-winners at Pride Chorus Houston! 🌈
28/09/2023
In June 1984 MHFB marched proudly for our inaugural performance at the 2nd annual Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo hosted by the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association. That day, around 20 musicians and color guard marched on the dry clumpy mud of the Coal Creek Park Rodeo Arena in Aurora. And what did we play for "Denver's Biggest Party?" The themes from Magnificent Seven and Wild Wild West, of course!
Photos courtesy of www.gayrodeohistory.org.
For a trip down memory lane, check out the rodeo program in the June 1984 issue of Guide Magazine http://gayrodeohistory.org/1984/ProgramCgra.htm
For your listening pleasure, here is a little Elmer Bernstein https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yulmgTcGLZw&ab_channel=HDFilmTributes
15/06/2023
Congratulations Atlanta Freedom Bands!
https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/video/2023/06/12/barrier-breaking-lgbtq-band-celebrates-30-years-music
Barrier-breaking LGBTQ band celebrates 30 years of music One instrument can create a melody, and a band can be a force. Woven into the music Atlanta Freedom Bands performs is a story that started back in 1993 with a man named Walter “Buz” Carr, Jr.
01/06/2023
🌈 In our symphony, every note matters. 🌈
Happy Pride month from Pride Bands Alliance!
19/05/2023
first day at Association of Concert Bands Convention
24/11/2022
Tuning in to the big parade? Don’t miss our friends in The Q***r Big Apple Corps!
Q***r Big Apple Corps to spread message of community during Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade The Q***r Big Apple Corps is set to march into the history books when the perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, delivering a simple message that despite adversity, it’s ok to be yourself. NBC News’ Joe Fryer has their story.
20/11/2022
05/11/2022
Continuing a great weekend of Pride Bands Alliance concerts, The South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble will present the "Beyond Borders 2" Concert Live Stream on Sunday, November 6th at 7pm Eastern! You can purchase your ticket to the live all the way up to the beginning on the concert. https://southfloridapride.streamally.live
Beyond Borders 2 Concert The South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble presents: "Beyond Borders 2." This concert will explore cultural music from around the world while emphasizing the beauty and fragility of our planet.
05/11/2022
Looking for Saturday night plans? Join our friends the Rose City Pride Bands virtually for their fall concert! 7:00 PM PDT
Rose City Pride Bands 2022 Fall Concert Back to Band
21/10/2022
Hylton Casting is currently casting an established marching band and color guard or individual performers to perform in the Disney+ film The Slumber Party. We are open to casting minors and adults for these scenes. Also looking to hire an experienced marching band coordinator. This is a paid opportunity. Filming will take place in Atlanta, GA on 10/26/22, 11/7/22, and 11/8/22.
For more information about the project and to submit, please visit the link below.
https://hyltoncasting.com/theslumberpartyperformers/
19/10/2022
We can’t wait for Dance-Along Nutcracker with San Francisco Le***an/Gay Freedom Band! 😍 have you been?!? Don’t miss the return to the in-person performance this December!
It’s rehearsal night and we have a full house! We’re so excited for the high turnout we have amongst our musicians for this year’s Dance-Along Nutcracker, “Snowbound”—our first in-person Dance-Along since 2019!
The zany adventure returns Dec. 17 and 18, 2022. We’ll be announcing the storyline and launching our ticketing website in a few weeks. In the meanwhile, head on over to dancealongnutcracker.org to join the guest list and be first in line to hear the latest news!
17/10/2022
More great coverage of one of our member bands!
Check out the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble Marching Band in this NBC6 segment about the inaugural Miami Shores Pride Parade on Sunday, October 16th.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-shores-celebrates-its-first-ever-pride-day-parade/2884769
Miami Shores Celebrates its First-Ever Pride Day Parade Dozens of people gathered to celebrate the LGBTQ community by having its first Pride parade in Miami Shores Village. Miami Shores partnered with SAVE Dade which is a part of the SAVE Foundation recognized as South Florida’s longest-serving organization dedicated to protecting people who are lesbia...
11/10/2022
DYK? National Coming Out Day was first celebrated on October 11, 1988, on the one-year anniversary of the National March on Washington for Le***an and Gay Rights. LGBA was there in 1987, not only participating in the March, but the massed band also performed at sold-out DAR Constitution Hall in a concert called "Let Freedom Ring".
If you've been out for years, have just started testing the waters, or just aren't ready yet, we see you, we love you, and your band family is here for you.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎
04/10/2022
STL! Join our member band BandTogether St. Louis as they kick off their 26th season with "Autumn Days and Haunted Nights!"
Saturday, October 15th at 8 pm
560 Music Center
560 Trinity Ave., University City, MO 63130
https://www.bandtogetherstl.com
04/10/2022
Wow, what an incredible feat! This reminds us... make sure you're registered for Rocky Mountain Dreams, happening in Denver, CO Fall 2023. We'll stick to just the one mile, thanks! ;)
Visit dreamers2023.org today to register
Interview on Next With Kyle Clark Thanks to Kyle Clark for bringing attention to our project and concert on Mt. Bierstadt on September 26, 2022. Episode aired on September 26, 2022.Summit Mus...
01/10/2022
Forty years ago today, eight musicians from bands around the country got together and founded an organization that would be a huge part of many of our lives. There have been so many conferences, so many events, so many unforgettable memories. In addition to those founding members, we should thank all the board members and the people who planned and worked at all those events who made those memories possible. Also thanks to all of you who have participated along the way whether at LGBA/Pride Bands Alliance events or even playing in your home bands. All of you are part of our history and part of our future. You not only share some amazing experiences with each other, but you have also made a difference in the world through your Music, Visibility, and Pride. Here's to forty more years!
30/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
In 2021, the Board of Directors voted to change the organization's name to be more inclusive of the performers in our organization. Through surveys, focus groups, and online forums, "Pride Bands Alliance" was born.
29/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
Due to the COVID global pandemic, we held our first virtual conference which included workshops, a keynote speaker, and a virtual convention band rehearsal. And the LGBA Sax Choir released their virtual performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
How did your band adapt to the pandemic?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNA5epwT8Js
Virtual Saxophone Choir | "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" Musicians from LGBA bands all across the USA (and a few friends) play the "gay national anthem," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" during the 2020 stay-at-home or...
28/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th… The parade that lasted two months!
LGBA marched in our first WorldPride Parade in 2019 as part of the New York City Stonewall 50 events. Our massed band of 87 musicians joined The Le***an & Gay Big Apple Corps and DC's Different Drummers as part of the New York City D**e March, Stonewall Anniversary Commemoration and the NYC Pride March. For that final parade, the LGBA band stepped off on June 30 and finally crossed the endpoint after midnight on July 1.
27/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
In 2018 Team Band convened in Paris, France for Gay Games X. We premiered "Rise" commissioned by Rossano Galante to a stadium audience that included French President Emmanuel Macron and English Prime Minister Theresa May. Later in the week the mass global band, orchestra, and choir performed a gala concert at the Casino de Paris. Pride Bands Alliance Artistic direction for the games were led by Jason Morley, Pete Nowlen and Lee Hartman.
What sight-seeing did you do while in France?
26/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
😢 Two conferences have been canceled in our 40 year history due to acts of nature. Which years did this happen and who were the unfortunate intended host cities? 😢
26/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
In 2016, Desert Winds in Palm Springs, CA invited Cindy Williams to MC the convention band concert. It was also a pleasure to welcome Rossano Galante as a guest conductor.
What did you enjoy most about this convention? The sax choir? The Pride Parade? Th steel drum ensemble performance at cocktail hour?
40 Days to the 40th
The Pride of Indy Band hosted the 2015 annual conference shortly after Indiana passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, allowing business to discriminate against members of the LGBTQAI+ community. The host hotel responded by lighting up their facade with rainbows during our stay and Lucas Oil Stadium welcomed the conference pep band to perform outside of DCI Finals National Championships to welcome patrons.
23/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
Gay Games IX returned to the US Midwest in 2014 hosted by Cleveland/Akron. Team Band executed a major field show involving complicated choreography under the direction of Laura Blake. Later in the week a dedicated band concert at the State Theater was directed by Jadine Louie and Scott Helms.
Share you pics of this exciting event in the comments!
22/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
The second Presidential inauguration of Barack Obama brought back LGBA to the parade route in 2013. The Philadelphia Gay News, and other news organizations, reported on the symbolism of our band to participate in the festivities which accompanied the first reference to LGBTQAI+ rights in the country's inauguration speech.
21/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
Since the creation of the Pillars Of Pride award, there have been 19 recipients. Who are the first two recipients awarded and in what year did they receive the award together?
Leslie Becker shares her memories of Gay Games Cologne in 2010.
20/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
2010 brought the Gay Games VIII to Cologne, Germany, a very LGBTQAI+ friendly city! Team Band performed at the Opening Ceremony with a field show at Rhein Energie Stadion lead by Drum Major Bob Dolan. Artistic Director Bob Derickson arranged the official city song of "Viva Colonia" for the performance. Rice Majors lead the overall Artistic Direction for these Gay Games while Nolan Dresden lead the concert band at a sold-out Gala performance along with orchestra, choir, and cheerleading components.
Did you learn any German on this trip?
19/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
In 2009, the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble hosted a conference in New Orleans during Southern Decadence weekend. The conference included a concert at Harrah's Casino and a parade through the French Quarter.
18/09/2022
40 Days to the 40th
In 2009, the US and LGBA celebrated several firsts. Our first non-white President of Barack Obama and the first time for LGBA to march in a US Presidential inaugural parade.
What were your memories from that parade?
Our Story
Great performances are the most visible manifestation of the le***an and gay band movement. Member bands across the country appear in hundreds of concerts, parades, and community events every year. Member bands in geographic proximity often perform together, and a typical marching schedule will include Pride Parades in several different cities.
Band music was the first true love that brought us together. By uniting men and women who share this love, bands help create and enhance the “community” their members call home. Through musical performance, LGBA bands make a powerful political statement in a non-political way.
Whether marching or playing a concert, we proudly proclaim “We Are Who We Are.” LGBA bands are sources of pride within their cities, as well as positive symbols of the same communities.
Making music creates a family where affection means more than affectional preference. By “banding together,” LGBA shows that people of different sexes, ages, creeds, races, and challenges can build a strong community.
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