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Renewing the music
R
Gay band introduces new color guard
and (nearly) new conductor at Pride
by
C o u r t n e y P e r k in s
|| involved in conducting the band and
3 how the personality dynamics of the
|| band worked,” he says. “The thing that
I like most about being part of the band
is that (it] is a confluence of two of the
biggest parts of my life: being gay and
loving music. I think the ability to
come together with people you have
two things in common with is really a
marvelous thing.”
T he decade-old Rose C ity G ay
Freedom Band is a nonprofit organi
zation consisting o f a m arch
ing, concert and swing
band. It is open to all
queers and supportive
friends, and proceeds
from performances go
toward the management
Conductor Rice Majors leads the Ro.se City Gay
of
the band or are donat
Freedom Band in the Pride parade June 15
ed to other designated
Majors says. “The piano was my best and loudest
queer organizations.
toy, and music has remained a primary way for me
Majors’ short time as conductor
to connect with my emotions in a way that is
has not been short-lived, and his
both cathartic and aesthetically beautiful.”
influence on the band is apparent. In
addition to jump-starting the idea for
Originally from Oregon, Majors returned
a color guard, he has pushed the
in 2001 to Portland, where he began playing
band to make themselves heard.
tuba with the gay band. He finally tried his
hand at conducting in the spring of 2002.
“ H e’s really been ambitious in
exposing us to Portland and getting
v
“I wanted to join the band as a member until
I could see what kind of time commitment was
our name out there,” says saxophon-
“v—
ist Mark G an o. “A s a group we want to be
both musically active in the community and
active in bringing events to people.”
Majors’ commitment and pride are clear in
his Web site statement: “Being involved in an
organization like Rose City offers us a unique
chance to reach out to our community. We
are able to provide opportunities for musical
as well as personal growth, both for people
who play in the band as well as for the mem
bers of the audience. The positive effect we
can have on the community is immense.”
But for right now, the band is looking
toward the more immediate future. “My
favorite time is probably during Pride when
we’re playing and people are dancing in the
streets,” smiles Gano. “Seeing the joy that we
bring— it’s really rewarding.” J H
To learn more about the ROSE CITY G ay FREEDOM
B and call 503'790'2170 or visit wwiu.rcgfb.org.
PHOTO BY
ainbows will be blazing at Portland Pride
2003 as the Rose City Gay Freedom Band
kicks off the parade under the direction of
a new color guard and conductor.
“It’s one of the first times in history, as far
as 1 know,” says color guard leader Robert
Gorman o f their participation in the parade.
“We’re only using tall flags, so we’ll be pretty
noticeable from anywhere.”
For those o f you who are lost, the color
guard is that group of people with flags or
batons who accompany a marching band.
According to Gorman, the color guard, which
has 10 members for its debut performance
June 15, is focusing on creating a festive mood
and getting the party started.
“Fun is the biggest key ingredient for us,”
he says. “We want to keep it going, even after
Pride, so hopefully we’ll inspire some people
along the way."
The man in charge got involved with the
band after spotting a blurb about it in an April
edition tif Just Out. “Having been involved in
color guard— teaching it at a high school com
petitive level— it was right up my alley,” says Gor
man. “I’m excited to experience Portland’s Pride."
And the color guard is only one new
dimension of the band to take to the streets
this year. The Pride parade also will be led by
a new conductor.
A Cornell University graduate with a
degree in music, Rice Majors is a true connois
seur of the art. In addition to having conduct
ed a wide range of bands, choruses and orches
tras during the past 12 years, he’s always been
an avid performer, having played with such
groups as the Syracuse Opera, Syracuse Gay &.
Lesbian Chorus and Pink Swingers of London.
“Music was always my best friend growing up,”
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