LOCAL YOUTH PRIDE BAND FORMS AGAIN

John Hayden

At a time when LGBT students are being silenced at school, one group of young musicians are playing with pride. The Youth Pride Band is back and bringing high school band members together from across the area.

After being on hiatus for COVID, they return to a different world entirely. The 11th Youth Pride Band comes together in the world of “Don’t Say Gay.” Organizers were concerned the restrictions would prevent school music programs from promoting auditions. However, 50 students from 22 schools tried out and were accepted.

“Our greatest recruitment tool is a word of mouth and many past members of the Youth Pride Band have graduated high school,” Dan Bassett said.

Bassett is the Artistic Director of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, the group that oversees the Pride Youth Band.

“The type of student who signs up for the band varies. Some identify as LGBTQ+ and want to be in an atmosphere that supports them. Others are the very dedicated band students who want to perform more challenging music than their high school band can play. Still, others may not be the best players and want to improve their playing and seek out opportunities that allow them to do so.”

Because the students come from different schools and music programs, they don’t have a lot of time to practice together. They will rehearse Sundays in February before their show on the 26th at the Amaturo Theater of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.