SAN DIEGO, Calif. – One of the amazing new features of this year’s San Diego Pride Parade, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, will be the first ever Pride Youth Marching Band. Youth who are enrolled in a marching band are encouraged to sign-up to participate in the band, with the opportunity to perform in front of one of San Diego’s most enthusiastic audiences!
As part of San Diego Pride’s commitment to LGBTQ youth, the Youth Pride Marching Band, along with the Youth Zone at the San Diego Pride Music Festival, are volunteer-run activities designed to foster character development and leadership in LGBT-identified youth who to participate in the annual festival and parade.
The Youth Pride Marching Band will be a large, spirited volunteer musical entertainment ensemble comprised of San Diego County youth, who will perform upbeat music during the annual parade. Anyone currently enrolled in a school or college band class and has completed at least the ninth grade is invited to participate. All sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome to participate, including LGBT supporters.
The band will be directed by members of the Big Gay Band and Orchestra Directors Association (BGBODA), which is comprised of local band directors. Three rehearsals will be held during the week leading up to San Diego Pride, on July 13 from 6-9 pm; July 15 from 6-9 pm; and July 16 from 6-9 pm. Participation in at least two rehearsals is required.
Band participants will gather at 8 am on the day of the parade, July 18, and be finished by 1:30 pm. All members will receive a free San Diego Pride Youth March Band t-shirt, and sheet music will be provided. Band members need to provide their own instruments.
Interested Youth can register at www.sdpride.org/youthband
The Pride Youth Marching Band program is being led by Russ Sperling who is the President of BGBODA, and the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for San Diego County Office of Education.
