Freedom Band of Los Angeles
Encyclopedia
The mission of the Freedom Band of Los Angeles is to bring together the diverse communities of Southern California
(including lesbian
, gay, bisexual, transgender
and straight) through education, rehearsal and performance of music
and other performing arts
– and to provide a rewarding experience for members. The second musical organization of it’s kind in the world to be founded, there is a great tradition and history to the group.
, the Great American Yankee Freedom Band of Los Angeles is an adult community marching band
made up solely of volunteers. The group has performed locally as well as nationally and internationally in concert
, at street fair
s, and community service organization
functions. In the past, the band has appeared in nearly every Southland Parade.
In the early days of the band’s history the Gay Pride Movement was just beginning. There were not a lot of gay events around the Southland
, so the band opened the eyes of community by performing in many local straight parades. The focus of the band at that time was primarily as a marching unit. The use of the words “Great American Yankee” allowed the group to sneak into these parades by disguising the word “GAY”. Long time members remember the surprised faces of parade watchers when the bass drum
with band’s logo passed by, and the realization sank in of what the acronym for the band name meant!
As the Gay community
became more visible, more and more gay events were planned. This created more opportunities for the band and membership grew. The band reached its peak in membership during 1991 around the time when the Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band was invited to play for President Clinton’s
first inauguration.
During the 1990’s the band lost many fine members. Some were lost in the AIDS
epidemic, others to busy lifestyles or changes in the community. Membership dwindled, but the band stayed alive through the dedication of committed members. The millennium has brought a renewed spirit to the band. A busy performance schedule has brought new and old members to rehearsals once again.
The Freedom Band Foundation of Los Angeles was formed in 2002 as a non-profit corporation to support the instrumental various musical groups associated with the Gay Freedom Band in the Los Angeles
area gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The concert band was renamed the Hollywood Wind Ensemble in 2001 to more accurately reflect the nature of the group. With the name change came an expansion of the group's repertoire and professionalism.
Still a volunteer community group, the Wind Ensemble is now a 45 piece symphonic band with a growing reputation and audience. In addition to smaller events such as the annual performance at Disneyland, the group presents two major concerts each year at their new concert "home", Zipper Concert Hall of the Colburn School of Performing Arts. The series includes a fall classics concert and a gala Spring 'pops' concert featuring celebrity guests to raise money for the James M. Berg Scholarship Fund. Another example of Music: With a Purpose.
In 2003, the Foundation Board sought an appropriate way to commemorate the founding of the Great American Yankee Freedom Band, and the silver anniversary of LGBT music
in Los Angeles. The Board decided that they would celebrate the past by investing in the future and created the James M. Berg Scholarship Fund.
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
(including lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay, bisexual, transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
and straight) through education, rehearsal and performance of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and other performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
– and to provide a rewarding experience for members. The second musical organization of it’s kind in the world to be founded, there is a great tradition and history to the group.
History
Originally founded in 1978 to lead the annual Gay Pride ParadeGay pride parade
Pride parades for the LGBT community are events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture. The events also at times serve as demonstrations for legal rights such as same-sex marriage...
, the Great American Yankee Freedom Band of Los Angeles is an adult community marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
made up solely of volunteers. The group has performed locally as well as nationally and internationally in concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
, at street fair
Street fair
A street fair is a fair that celebrates the character of a neighborhood. As its name suggests, it is usually held on the main street of a neighborhood....
s, and community service organization
Community Service Organization
The Community Service Organization was an important California Latino civil rights organization, most famous for training Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta...
functions. In the past, the band has appeared in nearly every Southland Parade.
In the early days of the band’s history the Gay Pride Movement was just beginning. There were not a lot of gay events around the Southland
Southland
-Australia:* Westfield Southland, a large retail complex located in the suburb of Cheltenham, approximately 16 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD in Australia-Canada:* Greater Toronto Area...
, so the band opened the eyes of community by performing in many local straight parades. The focus of the band at that time was primarily as a marching unit. The use of the words “Great American Yankee” allowed the group to sneak into these parades by disguising the word “GAY”. Long time members remember the surprised faces of parade watchers when the bass drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
with band’s logo passed by, and the realization sank in of what the acronym for the band name meant!
As the Gay community
Gay community
The gay community, or LGBT community, is a loosely defined grouping of LGBT and LGBT-supportive people, organizations and subcultures, united by a common culture and civil rights movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality...
became more visible, more and more gay events were planned. This created more opportunities for the band and membership grew. The band reached its peak in membership during 1991 around the time when the Los Angeles Gay Freedom Band was invited to play for President Clinton’s
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
first inauguration.
During the 1990’s the band lost many fine members. Some were lost in the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
epidemic, others to busy lifestyles or changes in the community. Membership dwindled, but the band stayed alive through the dedication of committed members. The millennium has brought a renewed spirit to the band. A busy performance schedule has brought new and old members to rehearsals once again.
The Freedom Band Foundation of Los Angeles was formed in 2002 as a non-profit corporation to support the instrumental various musical groups associated with the Gay Freedom Band in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The concert band was renamed the Hollywood Wind Ensemble in 2001 to more accurately reflect the nature of the group. With the name change came an expansion of the group's repertoire and professionalism.
Still a volunteer community group, the Wind Ensemble is now a 45 piece symphonic band with a growing reputation and audience. In addition to smaller events such as the annual performance at Disneyland, the group presents two major concerts each year at their new concert "home", Zipper Concert Hall of the Colburn School of Performing Arts. The series includes a fall classics concert and a gala Spring 'pops' concert featuring celebrity guests to raise money for the James M. Berg Scholarship Fund. Another example of Music: With a Purpose.
In 2003, the Foundation Board sought an appropriate way to commemorate the founding of the Great American Yankee Freedom Band, and the silver anniversary of LGBT music
LGBT music
LGBT music or stylized by others as GLBT music is music focusing on LGBT issues performed by LGBT artists and performers. The lyrics are largely about empowerment, same-sex relationships, love, acceptance, freedom, gay pride and the courage to "come out" to the general public...
in Los Angeles. The Board decided that they would celebrate the past by investing in the future and created the James M. Berg Scholarship Fund.
Milestones
- 1979 - Lead the California contingent in the 1979 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights
- 1981 - Featured in the Houston, TexasHouston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
Gay Pride Parade - 1983 -Opened the 1983 Gay Rodeo in Reno, NevadaReno, NevadaReno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
- Combined forces with San Diego’s Finest City Freedom Band in San Diego and Palm SpringsPalm SpringsPalm Springs is a desert city in CaliforniaPalm Springs may also refer to:* Palm Springs, Florida* Palm Springs, Hong Kong, a residential development in Yuen Long, Hong Kong* Coachella Valley, also known as the Palm Springs area...
- Marched in the first Veteran's Day observance in West Hollywood
- Performed in Palm Springs with the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus, Liz TorresLiz TorresElizabeth "Liz" Torres is an actress, singer, and comedienne of Puerto Rican descent.-Early years:Torres was born in the Bronx borough of New York City where her parents had settled after moving from Puerto Rico. There she received her primary and secondary education...
and Rudy de L'Amour
- Combined forces with San Diego’s Finest City Freedom Band in San Diego and Palm Springs
- 1984 - Performed at the Hollywood BowlHollywood BowlThe Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
in a concert sponsored by Christopher Street WestChristopher Street WestChristopher Street West is the non-profit organization that produces the Los Angeles LGBT Pride Celebration held every June in its host city of West Hollywood, California, USA....
in conjunction with LGBA (Lesbian & Gay Bands of America) featuring Miss Rita MorenoRita MorenoRita Moreno is a Puerto Rican singer, dancer and actress. She is the only Hispanic and one of the few performers who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, and was the second Puerto Rican to win an Academy Award.... - 1985 - During the “Alive” concert tour, the band performed in five cities on a four week period, culminating in participation in the Salute to America 4th of July Parade in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. As an official representative of the city of LA, Atlanta Mayor Andrew YoungAndrew YoungAndrew Jackson Young is an American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as Mayor of Atlanta, a Congressman from the 5th district, and United States Ambassador to the United Nations...
declared that week “Los Angeles Great American Yankee Freedom Band Week” - 1986 - Performed at San Francisco’s Gay Games II as part of the LGBA band
- Combined forces with the PhoenixPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
band, Desert Overture, in December
- Combined forces with the Phoenix
- 1990 - Performed at Celebration '90, Gay Games III and Cultural Festival, VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
- 1993 - Joined with LGBA for the 52nd Presidential Inaugural pre-parade festivities
- 1994 - Joined with LGBA at Unity '94, Gay Games IV and Cultural Festival
- StonewallStonewallThe word Stonewall may refer to* a stone wall* a verb meaning "to refuse to cooperate, especially in supplying information" -Games and entertainment:* "Stonewall structure" of pawns in the chess opening theory:** Stonewall Attack...
25 Anniversary March, New York, 1994
- Stonewall
- 1997 - Joined with LGBA for the 53rd Presidential Inaugural pre-parade festivities
- Marched with LGBA in the Cinco de Mayo Parade, San Francisco, CA
- Participated in the LGBA Conference including the “Hollywood Goes Down Under” concert at the Anson Ford Theater with the Melbourne Rainbow Band and the Golden Tappers
- 1998 - Joined with LGBA at Friendship '98, Gay Games V and Cultural Festival in AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, The Netherlands; - 2002 - Traveled with LGBA Down Under for Gay Games VI in SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... - 2003 - The Great American Yankee Freedom Band celebrated its 25th anniversary year by announcing the James M Berg Scholarship Fund
- Named “Most Creative and Outrageous Marching Unit” in the San Diego Pride parade
- 2004 - Inaugurated the James M. Berg Scholarship Fund with a gala concert at the Music Box Theater featuring Drag Icon Momma and Judy GarlandJudy GarlandJudy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
impersonator Julie Sheppard- Combined forces with the Desert Winds Freedom Band of Palm Springs and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom BandSan Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom BandThe San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band is a community-based concert and marching band in San Francisco. It is the official band of San Francisco. Founded in 1978, it was the first gay-oriented musical organization in the world. The band promotes visibility and musical education for the Bay...
to form Lesbian and Gay Bands of California and march in the Las Vegas Pride Parade. This combined group won two awards in the Las Vegas Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade
- Combined forces with the Desert Winds Freedom Band of Palm Springs and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
- 2005 - Presented the second annual James M. Berg Scholarship Concert at the El Portal Theater featuring guest host Marcia CrossMarcia CrossMarcia Anne Cross is an American actress. She is known for her television roles as Bree Van de Kamp on the ABC comedy-drama series Desperate Housewives, and as Dr...
from ABC TV’s Desperate HousewivesDesperate HousewivesDesperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
.- The Great American Yankee Freedom Band was named Outstanding Musical Marching Unit in the Los Angeles Pride Parade.
- Co-hosted the annual Lesbian and Gay Band Association conference in Palm Springs featuring a concert of over 125 musicians with guest conductor, composer Frank Ticheli conducting his own works, followed by a 140 piece marching band in the Palm Springs Pride Parade the next day.
- 2006 - Performed selections from our “Gods & Monsters Concert Tour” at Disneyland, Cathedral City High SchoolCathedral City High SchoolCathedral City High School is a public high school for grades 9-12. It is located in Cathedral City, California and is part of the Palm Springs Unified School District.-History:...
, Long Beach Congregational Church and Zipper Hall. - 2007 - Won the Award for Best Walking Unit in the Las Vegas Pride Parade
- Awarded a $500 Grant from CSW for Color GuardColor guardIn the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
Development
- Awarded a $500 Grant from CSW for Color Guard