Lesbian and Gay Band Association

Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) is a musical organization of concert bands and marching bands from cities across America and around the world. LGBA was formed in 1982 as Lesbian and Gay Bands of America when seven independent lesbian and gay bands met formally in Chicago.

LGBA has grown to include 27 bands with bands in the United States, Canada and Australia. In 2003 LGBA voted to conduct business as the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, to reflect the international diversity of the membership. The Lesbian and Gay Band Association remains dedicated to its original goals:

• Providing a network of lesbian and gay bands at all stages of development. • Promoting music as a medium of communication among people. • Improving the quality of artistic and organizational aspects of member bands. • Stimulating public interest in the unique art form of community band music in our culture.

Membership

Membership in bands is open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight people of all genders and any level of musicianship. In addition to the member bands there are Partner groups such as "Cheer San Francisco" and the "Church Street Pipe Band" of Toronto. There are also individuals who join LGBA as Affiliate Members.

Great performances are the most visible manifestation of the Lesbian 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.

LGBA strives to unite men and women who share a love of band music, and the bands help create and enhance the "community" its 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.

LGBA's newsletter, Tie Line, serves as an information exchange for our geographically dispersed member bands between conferences. It keeps the feeling of the "LGBA Family" alive across state lines, national boundaries and even oceans.

Conferences

The Lesbian and Gay Band Association meets annually in different cities to plan events, encourage the formation of new bands, and share the gift of music with gay and non-gay audiences. Seminars on topics such as musicianship, programming, membership diversity, and organizational skills are held in addition to general business and committee meetings.The conferences are regularly hosted by LGBA band(s) and include a performance element, either a concert or a parade and sometimes both. Conferences have been held throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Australia. A list of recent and future conferences is listed below.

At the 2004 LGBA Conference in Fort Lauderdale the massed band played "Russian Christmas Music" under the direction of composer Alfred Reed, and "In Glory Triumphant" conducted by composer Robert Longfield. During the 2005 LGBA Conference composer Frank Ticheli conducted the LGBA Band of 120 musicians in "Abracadabra" and "An American Elegy".

Gay Games Participation

LGBA has been a member organization in the Federation of Gay Games and has participated in the Gay Games since 1986. Members of LGBA joined to march together for both the 1992 and 1996 inaugurations of President Bill Clinton. LGBA also participated in the Millennium March on Washington on April 30, 2000.

ee also

* Freedom Band of Los Angeles
* Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps
* Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard
* San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band

External links

Lesbian & Gay Band Association – [http://www.gaybands.org]

LGBA - List of member bands - [http://www.gaybands.org/lgba_members.html]

Federation of Gay Games – [http://www.gaygames.org]

Chicago, 2006 – [http://www.gaygameschicago.org]

Cheer San Francisco - [http://www.cheersf.org/]

Atlanta Freedom Bands - [http://www.atlantafreedombands.com]