aboutus


	About Us Founded in March of 2005, The Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard is Indiana's only LGBTS instrumental and pageantry ensemble. Since its beginnings, the band has grown to include a performing membership of 50 musicians, which includes a marching/pep band unit, a concert band, a brass ensemble a woodwind ensemble and a Jazz Band. The group also boasts a yearly performance calendar filled with over 20 concerts and special appearances at community events locally and in cities outside of Indiana. The Pride of Indy Band & Color Guard serves as a musical and educational resource to the Central Indiana community. It is comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender & LGBT-friendly musicians. The organization conducts its activities in a supportive, accepting and affirming atmosphere. About Indy Pride, Inc. The Pride of Indy Band & Color Guard is an educational and artistic division of Indy Pride, Inc. "Indy Pride Inc., through its purpose, fosters events that seek to educate, honor the history of the GLBT communities and celebrate the diversity of and create unity, in and between, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight communities." "Toward this mission, Indy Pride Inc. sponsors the following events and benefits to fund these events: Laugh OUT Loud, IN-PRIDE-"StreetFayre", Indy Pride Family Picnic, Hoosier 250 & Cookout w/ Silent Auction, Thanksgiving Evening, Educational and Vocational Scholarships, Workshops and Support Groups (confidential and public), also members of the board have and do currently donate their time as volunteers to the organization. Further Indy Pride Inc. supports and encourages patronage of all organizations that serve our communities. About The Lesbian and Gay Band Association Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard is a member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. The Lesbian and Gay Bands of America (LGBA), is a group of 26 concert and marching bands from North America and Australia. LGBA provides a link among lesbian and gay bands to share information, improve the musicianship and organization of its member bands, and encourage the formation of new bands. To find out more about LGBA, visit the LGBA website. www.gaybands.org. About Our Conductor, Eric Knechtges Eric is currently completing his Doctorate in Composition at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. He holds a Masters Degree in Composition from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. Eric also served for two years as band director, chorus director, and Music Appreciation instructor in Addison Community Schools in Michigan, during which time he was also active conducting and playing in several community bands and orchestras, which he credits for keeping him sane and grounded. One of his band compositions, :Broken Silents," a 30-year commemoration of the Stonewall Riots, was recognized for Special Distinction in the second annual ASCAP/CBDNA Frederick Fennell Competition. He has also received awards in the National Bandmasters Association Young Composers Mentor Project, the NACUSA Young Composers Competition, and the San Francisco Choral Artists New Voices Composition Competition, as well as several commissions from public schools and community groups. About Our Small Ensembles Pride of Indy Brass Ensemble The Pride of Indy Brass Ensemble performs throuht the community at special events and at Pride of Indy concerts. You can often see the group performing at Indy Pride, Inc. Mixers or around town during the holidays. Contact Laura Blake at laurablake@mac.com for more information. Pride of Indy Woodwind Ensemble The Pride of Indy Woodwind Ensemble, like the Brass Ensemble performs throuht the community at special events. The Woodwind Ensemble has been seen at churches and at Theater on the Square. Contact Shelly Snider at michellesnid64@hotmail.com for more information. Pride of Indy Jazz Ensemble Our newest ensemble! These cats can Jam, and they do it with a twist! Want to find out more about it? Contact John at john@lambdaconsulting.net.
	Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard info@prideofindy.org PO Box 2112 Indianapolis, IN 46206-2112 Pride of Indy Band and Color Guard is an educational and artistic division of Indy Pride, Inc.