CLEVELAND — Whether on the stage, or on the streets, a group of musicians is the definition of what it means to be loud and proud. The Cleveland Pride Band is a community music organization for the LGBTQ community and their allies.
“We want to make music fun and accessible for everyone at every level,” said the Cleveland Pride Band President, Brad Speck.
RELATED: Northeast Ohio Pride Guide: List of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month
The band’s history spans over two decades and three name changes, rebranding to Cleveland Pride Band last year. Membership has grown from around a dozen to 90 musicians. Through all the changes, one guiding principle is the same.
“It's really important for us as a community to have a safe space to not only perform and be our authentic selves but also to get to express ourselves the way we feel comfortable doing that,” said Speck.
For many of these members, the Pride Band is their return to music after years away. The pull to pick up an instrument again, awakened by catching one of their performances or seeing their social media posts.
“Just being able to play music again for me has just been life-changing,” said Alex Wang.
For percussionist Alex Wang the music came first. But then, she found so much more.
“'Yeah, I'm just here for the music. I'm not here to socialize. I'm not here to make friends.' And then, lo and behold, I'm becoming more involved in this than I've been involved in the community,” said Wang. “So, it's definitely been like a safe place for me to just be myself.”
Pride Band is coming off its spring concert "Rock Through the Ages." Selections from the Eagles to the Backstreet Boys, this was not a "sit in your seat" affair.
“The big thing is we kind of want to rethink what a concert experience is like, and we want it to be reflective of the members and the community,” explained Laura Joss, the band’s artistic director.
The Cleveland Pride Jazz Band even made its debut.
“I haven't really played in a jazz band setting before, so to be able to just kind of, you know, jam out on the jazz band was really exciting,” said band member David Copsey.
With a growing membership, how they express themselves brings endless possibilities.
“There's a real interest out there in the area to have an orchestra, a pride orchestra, and that's certainly something that we don't have in this area. There isn't one that I'm aware of in Ohio,” Joss said.
The clock is ticking, with Pride in the CLE quickly approaching. It's a big year for the band; not only will they march on June 1, but they're booked on the festival's main stage as the opening act. The band will also perform at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Pride on June 8.
New Marching Band Director Lauren Zetts makes sure they don't skip a beat.
“I've never had a space where I felt safe. In the music world the band room was the one place that I felt safe, but I've never felt seen as a member of the LGBTQ community,” Zetts said. “Even though I'm open and out, I've never felt confident and safe in that, and this is the first space where I feel that I'm accepted. And that is a very empowering moment for me.”
Four generations are represented in the marching band, music echoing from the past, into the future.
“This is an opportunity for us to storytelling and to share our history, and to pass on some history and traditions to the next generation,” Speck said.
Giving everyone a sense of pride and responsibility.
“We're a beacon for some people, and we're allowed to bring people in who may not know where they belong,” said Copsey. “Whether they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally we are welcoming here at the Cleveland Pride Band.”
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