Rose City Pride Bands Composition

Since forming in 1990, the Rose City Pride Bands has been a place for LGBTQ musicians and friends to play, perform, and participate in Portland’s musical community. Today, Rose City Pride Bands is comprised of the Rose City Wind Symphony (a 60+ member symphonic wind ensemble), Rose City Swing (a sixteen-piece swing band), the Rose City Pride Marching Band (a 70+ marching/pep band and colorguard), and several smaller performing groups. We are currently in the process of organizing the Rose City Youth Program.

Roe City Pride Band History

The Portland Lesbian and Gay Community Band began in 1982, survived the 1980’s, and transitioned into The Rose City Gay Freedom Band in 1990 when the band earned its non-profit status and became a member of LGBA. Rose City Pride Bands has made steady progress to expand its audience and community influence.

Rose City Wind Symphony performs a variety of musical styles ranging from classical to contemporary and popular music. RCWS produces at least four concerts per year and has collaborated in concerts with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Portland Lesbian Choir, Seattle Rainbow City Band, and the Rainbow Concert Band of Vancouver, BC, as well as numerous community events and yearly participation in the Oregon Adult Band Festival. Our current conductor, Joseph Accuardi-Gilliam is celebrating his 15th year as our conductor and artistic director.

Rose City Swing, formed in 1993, is our traditional 16-piece swing band. RCS has produced dances and has focused on community outreach. We have performed throughout Oregon and Washington at various Pride events as well as for numerous benefits and fundraisers throughout our community.

Rose City Pride Marching Band participates in Portland’s annual Pride Parade as well as other community events, such as AIDS Walk Portland, Bat’N Rouge (both fundraisers for Cascade AIDS Project) and the Portland Marathon. 2019 marked the 29th year of marching in the PrideNW Parade.

Each year we perform in front of over 20,000 people with our community outreach events. Each performance is a celebration of diversity and deepens the LGBTQ community’s role as a fundamental part of our whole community.

Mission

Rose City Pride Bands is a welcoming space for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community to forge connections through music.

Vision

We believe music empowers communities to collectively build harmonious societies.

Purpose

Rose City Pride Bands cultivates a network of instrumentalists, music enthusiasts, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to entertain audiences and use music as a vehicle to unify our communities.

Promise

We promise to create intimate musical experiences that connect the Rose City Pride Bands members to one another and the community.