Pride Bands Alliance is an international network of LGBTQ+ and affirming community bands founded in 1982 as the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America. The organization supports local bands by providing a network for communication, hosting annual conferences, and providing the opportunity for members to perform in massed band performances in major events throughout the world.
Pride Bands Alliance currently includes 43 organizations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Partner organizations
Pride Bands Alliance was originally formed as the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America when members of seven independent lesbian and gay bands met formally in Chicago from October 1–3, 1982.
Founding Bands
Pride Bands Alliance meets annually in a conference hosted by a member band. Conferences generally attract over 300 participants and include workshops, roundtable discussions, social events, and performance opportunities that can include massed band concerts, parades, jazz band, pep band, as well as smaller ensembles.
Conferences sometimes include special guest conductors and composers. Past Pride Bands Alliance annual conferences have included Alfred Reed, Frank Ticheli, Julie Giroux, Robert Longfield, Michael Markowski, Randall Standridge, Rossano Galante.
Conference concerts have also featured celebrity emcees/performers including Rita Moreno, Judith Light, Cindy Williams, Dick Sargent, Margaret Cho, Denali Foxx, and Angeria Paris VanMicheals.
Pride Bands Alliance organizes massed band performances for musicians from member bands at major events throughout the world. Events have included: