The Cleveland Pride Band is ready to kick off June celebrations

CLEVELAND — Whether on stage or in the streets, a live band 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 its allies.

“We want to make music fun and accessible to everyone at all levels,” said Brad Speck, president of the Cleveland Pride Band.

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The band’s history spans more than two decades and three name changes, renaming itself the Cleveland Pride Band last year. The number of members increased from a dozen to 90 musicians. Despite all the changes, one guiding principle remains the same.

“It’s really important for us as a community to have a safe space to not only play and be our authentic selves, but to be able to express ourselves in the way that we feel comfortable doing so. do,” Speck said.

For many of these members, the Pride Band is their return to music after years of absence. The desire to pick up an instrument, awakened by attending one of their performances or seeing their publications on social networks.

“Just being able to play music again has changed my life,” said Alex Wang.

For percussionist Alex Wang, music came first. But then she discovered so much more.

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“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 more involved in all of that than I am in the community,” Wang said. “So it definitely feels like a safe place for me to be myself.”

Pride Band just finished their spring concert “Rock Through the Ages.” From the Eagles’ picks to the Backstreet Boys, it wasn’t a “sit in your seat” case.

“The biggest thing is we want to kind of rethink what a concert experience is, and we want it to reflect the members and the community,” said Laura Joss, the group’s artistic director.

The Cleveland Pride Jazz Band even made its debut.

“I’ve never really played in a jazz band before, so being able to, you know, play in a jazz band was really exciting,” said band member David Copsey.

With a growing number of members, the way they express themselves offers endless possibilities.

“There’s real interest in the area to have an orchestra, a pride orchestra, and that’s certainly something we don’t have in this region. As far as I know, there aren’t any in Ohio,” Joss said.

Time is running out and pride in the CLE is fast approaching. It’s a big year for the group; not only will they be parading on June 1st, but they’re also booked on the festival’s main stage as opening acts. The group will also perform at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Pride on June 8.

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The Marching Band’s new director, Lauren Zetts, makes sure they don’t skip a beat.

“I never had a space where I felt safe. In the music business, the concert hall was the only place I felt safe, but I never felt considered a member of the LGBTQ community,” Zetts said. “Even though I’m open and open, I’ve never felt confident or safe, and this is the first space I’ve felt accepted. And it’s a very exciting moment for me.

Four generations are represented in the marching band, with the music echoing from the past into the future.

“This is an opportunity for us to tell stories, share our history and pass on some of our history and traditions to the next generation,” Speck said.

Give everyone a sense of pride and responsibility.

“We’re a beacon for some people, and we’re allowed to bring in people who maybe don’t know where they belong,” Copsey said. “Whether they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or whether they are an ally we welcome here at the Cleveland Pride Band.”

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