[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Marching Band\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”5″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”6″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”7″ ][cs_element_content_area _id=”8″ ][cs_content_seo]Our award-winning marching band and color guard entertains nearly one million spectators annually at parades and events. This ensemble embodies the vision of the original Chicago Gay Pride Band, which formed in 1979 as one of the first LGBTQ bands of its kind.
Annual events include Chicago Memorial Day Parade, and Chicago Pride Parade, among others. Members have also performed in other U.S. cities and overseas with the Pride Bands Alliance (formerly Lesbian and Gay Band Association). These include the Gay Games, the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade in New York City, and the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Our normal marching season runs from April to September, with rehearsals on Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. typically at
Lake View High School4015 N Ashland AveChicago, IL 60613
The tour schedule for the marching band and color guard is determined in April at the beginning of the season.
All members and friends of the LGBTQ community are welcome to perform with us. If you can play a musical instrument, spin a flag, or twirl a baton we can teach you to march and wave at the crowd!
We’d love to have you join our ranks!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”9″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”10″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”11″ ][cs_element_button _id=”12″ ][cs_content_seo]Contact the Marching Band\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”13″ ][cs_element_button _id=”14″ ][cs_content_seo]Upcoming Performances\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”15″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”16″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”17″ ][cs_element_content_area _id=”18″ ][cs_content_seo]Marching Band FAQs\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”19″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”20″ ][cs_element_accordion _id=”21″ ][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”22″ ][cs_content_seo]Who is Lakeside Pride and what do you do?\n\nLakeside Pride Music Ensembles is Chicago’s premier family of performance groups for members and friends of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. The Lakeside Pride Marching Band was founded in 1997, embodying the vision of the original Chicago-based Great Lakes Freedom Marching Band, which formed in 1979 as one of the first LGBTQ bands of its kind.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”23″ ][cs_content_seo]Do I have to attend all of the rehearsals and performances?\n\nWe request that you not miss more than three rehearsals and make an effort to attend all performances.
We realize that summer weekends and holidays are precious, though, and needing to miss more rehearsals or some performances may be unavoidable. The most important thing is for your section leader to know in advance what you can and cannot commit to.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”24″ ][cs_content_seo]What if I don’t have an instrument?\n\nMost musicians bring their own instruments.
For some instruments, like sousaphones, mellophones, and everything percussion, Lakeside Pride has a small number of instruments that are available for members to use.
In rare instances, a member may have an instrument available to lend to another member.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”25″ ][cs_content_seo]Are uniforms provided?\n\nMembership dues include the use of our uniforms. We have one with your name on it!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”26″ ][cs_content_seo]What if I don’t think I’m physically up to marching?\n\nWe’re a nonprofit community band with members ranging in ages from under 18 to over 60, with a variety of physical abilities. We keep this diversity in mind when we plan water breaks, how many performances we commit to, and any special movements or dances during the parades.
March what you’re able but take care of yourself – there’s no shame in hopping onto the support van as needed.
If you’re a person with a physical disability, we’d be honored to include you in our ensemble.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”27″ ][cs_content_seo]Do I have to memorize music? Is there drill to learn?\n\nNope. We play from a lyre and we march parades. We usually throw some goofy move into the middle of one song or another along the parade route, though.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”28″ ][cs_content_seo]What should I bring to rehearsal?\n\nBring a hat, sunscreen, bottled water, a lyre with flip folders, and a pencil.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”29″ ][cs_content_seo]What music do you play?\n\nThe marching band performs a variety of pop songs and standards appearing in performances across Chicagoland including the Chicago Memorial Day Parade, the Inaugural Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, Navy Pier’s Pride Celebration, the Chicago Pride Parade, the Oak Park 4th of July Parade, Arts in the Dark: Chicago’s Parade of Artists, and the Northalsted Halloween Parade.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_accordion][/cs_element_layout_column][cs_element_layout_column _id=”30″ ][cs_element_accordion _id=”31″ ][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”32″ ][cs_content_seo]Can I participate if I don’t identify as LGBTQ?\n\nAll members and friends of the LGBTQ community are welcome to perform with us. About a quarter of our membership are straight, cis-gender allies.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”33″ ][cs_content_seo]When are rehearsals and performances?\n\nThey’re all listed on our calendar.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”34″ ][cs_content_seo]What’s the time commitment?\n\nWe typically rehearse Sundays late April through late June from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. All of our rehearsals and performances, including locations, are listed on our calendar.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”35″ ][cs_content_seo]What does membership cost?\n\nMarching-only Lakeside Pride membership is $50. Membership in all of our ensembles ranges from $90 to $120.
Payment plans and need-based concessions are available.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”36″ ][cs_content_seo]Can I try before I commit?\n\nYou are welcome to participate in the initial rehearsals without having paid dues.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”37″ ][cs_content_seo]What if I don’t have a car to get to rehearsal or performances?\n\nOur rehearsal sites and most performances are accessible by public transit, Uber, Lyft, and taxi.
If that isn’t workable – we understand you’re probably traveling with an instrument – we encourage you to get in touch. There might be another member in your area we can pair you with.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”38″ ][cs_content_seo]What if I haven’t played for a while?\n\nMany of our members have had decades-long gaps in their performing history. We understand you’ll be rusty – there’s no shame in taking it down an octave, dropping out and letting the rest of your section cover for you, or doing whatever works for you. Your section will be friendly and helpful and do their best to get you back in the groove of things. A few years in, when you’ve got your chops back, we just ask you help other newbies remember how it all works, too.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_accordion_item _id=”39″ ][cs_content_seo]I still have questions!\n\nAsk away! marching@lakesidepride.org\n\n[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_accordion][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”40″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”41″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”42″ ][cs_element_content_area _id=”43″ ][cs_content_seo]Membership Inquiry
Complete this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”44″ ][cs_element_button _id=”45″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]