Anyone who has even blown a clarinet, beat a drum, or even rung a cowbell might want to consider joining Lakeside Pride. The musical organization, which consists of bands and smaller ensembles, encourages LGBT musicians of any ( yes, any ) skill level to join. Lakeside Pride has entertained thousands of individuals over the years and undoubtedly will thrill many more—especially with upcoming gigs at this year's Gay and Lesbian Pride Pride and the Gay Games VII in 2006.
Windy City Times recently talked with Michelle Wetzel, a drum major in the marching band and a member of Pride's board of directors, about the organization. ( She also plays trombone and sits in several bands. )
Windy City Times: Tell me about Lakeside Pride's history.
Michelle Wetzel: Absolutely. This incarnation of the band started in 1997 and we were originally formed as The Chicago Black Gay and Lesbian Marching Band. ( Interesting, huh? ) We had this great guy named Jon Dallas who wanted to start a band in the style of the Southern marching bands—but, unfortunately, he couldn't find enough people to buy into the vision, with us being Yankees and all. However, the marching-band vision caught on and lots of people jumped on board. The name was changed about a year later to Lakeside Pride to reflect the all-inclusive, diverse nature of our membership.
WCT: How many ensembles are there?
MW: Quite a few. There are three major ensembles and one on the way. The major ones are the Freedom Band ( the marching band ) , the Symphonic Ensemble ( the concert band, which does not have a string section ) , and our jazz band, SHOUT!
Our fourth one is the orchestra. We've wanted to start a string program for a while; several string players have expressed interest about joining us. We now feel like we have the capacity and infrastructure to support a fourth ensemble. At first, we'll start off with just string players and they'll play chamber music. Then we'll add wind players once we feel that the string players are strong and then we'll develop it into a full-blown orchestra. There's only one other gay-and-lesbian orchestra in the country that we know of, and that's in Minnesota.
We also have smaller ensembles, which grew out of peoples' interests to play almost chamber-type music. Our brass ensemble was the first, but we also have a polka one ( Queer as Polka ) , a toyland band ( that features instruments such as toy xylophones ) , and a woman's ensemble ( our only gender-based ensemble; it promotes music arranged and composed by women ) . Also, the clarinet choir is quite popular in nursing homes.
We have an outreach component to our organization. We try to spread music and awareness wherever we can. Invitations usually come from members of different ensembles. We have one guy who plays bass clarinet who works at a nursing home, so he got the clarinet choir playing there.
By the way, our rehearsals are at the Preston Bradley Center at 941 W. Lawrence. We've actually invited the homeless community to watch dress rehearsals, especially during the holidays—it's such a 'down' time for people who struggle with homelessness. So we put on a special performance for them.
WCT: So you actually accept people of all skill levels? If you heard me audition, you might say, 'Well, we have a lot of fund-raising opportunities available.'
MW: [ Laughs. ] No, we're very serious about that. We've had folks who haven't picked up instruments in 25 or 30 years and they find out about us. They're so excited about the opportunity to play that they'll dust off their old clarinets or trumpets and join. It works out just fine. It takes a little while to get the fingers back, though. But we have those folks all the way up to semi-professionals.
WCT: And the semi-professionals never get annoyed with those who are not as advanced?
MW: You know, that's the great thing. We have such a wide range of playing opportunities. If you're really accomplished and want to challenge yourself, you can join one of the smaller ensembles where we play a tougher repertoire. In our major ensembles, our conductors are very adept at simplifying music. So if you are not quite ready to play 32nd notes again, the conductors will actually rewrite the parts to make them simpler until you get your skills back.
WCT: You have a major rehearsal May 1.
MW: That will be the first rehearsal of the season for the Freedom Band. It will be at Northside College Prep, 5501 N. Kedzie. That will be a come-as-you-are first rehearsal to see what kind of instruments we'll have this year. This percussion section ( drum line ) has already been practicing. They try to get a headstart on the season and learn the cadences.
WCT: What big events do you have coming up?
MW: The Symphonic Band just had a big concert [ 'Shall We Dance?' April 9 ] and won't start up again until the fall. The marching and jazz bands have things going on. The Freedom Band will, of course, be performing at [ Chicago's ] Pride Parade—but we're also looking forward to going to Indianapolis and marching in their Pride Parade.
Also, we're part of LGBA ( the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America ) . As part of LGBA, we're going to Indy to help get their program going. People from the Chicago band and all across the country will meet there. A contact there will rustle up some local musicians to march with us, and we'll give them the support and resources to get their own local band going. We also did that in Cincinnati and they have a very successful band there now.
LGBA also has an annual conference and there's a mass band concert as part of that conference. For 2006—and here's a nice segue [ laughs ] —we're going to combine the LGBA conference with the Gay Games and have it all here in Chicago.
WCT: Yes ... the Gay Games.
MW: That's right. I'm definitely looking forward to the Games. It's such an honor to be able to play there. LGBA has participated in Gay Games for a number of years; they were in Australia, Amsterdam, and New York. But being here in Chicago, with a strong band here, allows us to draw on big-time resources and get the other LGBA bands excited about coming here for the Games. So we'll have a big mass band for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as for our big concert in Millennium Park on the Pritzker stage. We're expecting more than 200 musicians; it's going to be great.
WCT: Any concluding remarks?
MW: We're always looking for new members, especially since we're expanding our program to include an orchestra. We're also looking to expand our Color Guard. Instrumentalists of any type and experience level are welcome. We're just about making really good music in a bunch of different styles. It's also important for people to have fun and be part of the community. We see Lakeside Pride as a family.
See www.lakesidepride.org, e-mail info@lakesidepride.org, or call ( 773 ) 381-6693.