Lesbian and Gay Band Association

LGBA logo

Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) is an international musical organization of concert bands and marching bands. LGBA was formed in 1982 as "Lesbian and Gay Bands of America" when seven independent lesbian and gay bands met formally in Chicago.

LGBA currently includes 27 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. The first Jazz Band performed in a LGBA conference, with special guest Gary Burton performing with the Jazz Band on vibraphone.

Lights! Camera! Action!	Seattle, WA	October 13 - 15, 2011
Stop the World - I Wanna Get On!	Indianapolis, IN	March 24 - March 28, 2010
Incantations	New Orleans, LA	September 3 - September 6, 2009
Deliciously Wicked!	New York City, NY	October 30 - November 2, 2008
Silver in St. Louis	St. Louis, MO	October 4-7, 2007
When the World Listens	Chicago, IL	July 12 - 15, 2006
Sunshine Summit	Palm Springs, CA	November 3 - 6, 2005
SF – 4th Dimension	Fort Lauderdale, FL	November 4 - 6, 2004
State Fair	Minneapolis, MN	August 28 – September 2, 2003
Under New Skies	Melbourne, Australia	October, 2002
Meet Me in St. Louis	St. Louis, MO	September 14 - 16, 2001

See also

[1]

• Freedom Band of Los Angeles
• Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps
• Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard
• San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
• Lakeside Pride Ensembles (Chicago)
• Rainbow City Band
• South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble

External links

• Official site
• List of member bands