Join an Ensemble
Join one ensemble or perform with all of them. There’s a place for you in the San Francisco Pride Band.
Why Join the Band?
We’re the first openly gay musical organization in the world and the Official Band of the City and County of San Francisco, with a 40-plus-year history in the Bay Area. Our members come from every walk of life, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and from across the region, including Oakland, San Jose, Marin, and beyond. We’re proud of our diversity, and we love our allies.
Whether you’re returning to music after years away or looking for a new musical challenge, the Band is a place to keep developing your skills.
If you’re new in town or looking to expand your circle, the Band is a wonderful place to make new friends. Beyond rehearsing and performing together, we also get together for lunches, dinners, potlucks, and other social gatherings.
As the band that helped launch the global movement of LGBTQ+ marching bands, concert bands, and choruses, we offer a rich history, opportunities to grow as a musician, a welcoming community, and some of the city’s most visible performance opportunities.
Find Your Ensemble
All of our ensembles are non-audition. Choose the group that fits your interests, schedule, and performance style, or join more than one. Many members perform in multiple ensembles.
Concert Band
Rehearsals: Tuesdays · 7:30–9:45 PM · San Francisco
Best for: Musicians who enjoy formal concerts and a regular rehearsal schedule.
Our 75-member symphonic ensemble performs formal concerts throughout the year, featuring a diverse repertoire that includes concert band classics, pops favorites, Broadway music, contemporary works, and commissioned pieces. The Concert Band also performs in our annual Dance-Along Nutcracker®, a unique family-friendly holiday show where movie music, Broadway tunes, and audience participation take center stage.
Curious what we sound like? Watch our Concert Band performances on YouTube to see the repertoire and venues.
Marching Band
Rehearsals: 4–6 weekend outdoor rehearsals per year · San Francisco
Best for: Musicians who enjoy high-energy performances, Pride celebrations, parades, and performing for large crowds.
The Marching Band performs in civic and cultural parades throughout the Bay Area, entertaining thousands of spectators along the route. Our marching style is deliberately low-impact: an easy roll step and a relaxed 8-steps-to-5-yards stride. It’s no problem if you’ve never marched before, or haven’t picked up your instrument in years.
The repertoire features high-energy arrangements of pop hits, LGBTQ+ anthems, and crowd favorites from artists like Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Queen, Whitney Houston, and more.
Pep Band
Rehearsals: Third Thursday of each month · 7:30–9:45 PM · San Francisco
Best for: Musicians who want to stay active with frequent community-focused performances throughout the year.
Pep Band gigs are stand-and-play or sit-and-play — no marching. Expect to perform at community events, neighborhood celebrations, and sporting events.
The repertoire includes crowd-pleasing pop hits, dance favorites, and LGBTQ+ anthems from artists like Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Queen, and more, creating memorable moments at community events throughout the year.
Twirling & Flag Corps
Rehearsals: 4–6 weekend outdoor rehearsals per year · San Francisco
Best for: Folks who want to perform in parades and community events without playing an instrument.
Twirling & Flag Corps performs alongside the Marching Band in parades throughout the Bay Area, including Pride celebrations, Chinese New Year, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and other community events.
No prior experience is required. Flag Corps members learn simple, easy-to-follow routines, while twirlers perform freestyle and join the group for coordinated visual moments. Rehearsals are held on weekends leading up to performances.
Perform with Pride
We bring music, visibility, and joy to audiences across the Bay Area. From historic civic parades and major sports stadiums to school assemblies and signature concerts, every performance is a chance to be seen, and to bring people together.
- Pride Celebrations SF Pride Parade, Trans March, Dyke March, and regional Prides in Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and Russian River
- Civic Traditions Chinese New Year Parade, Veterans Day Parade, and San Francisco City Hall ceremonies
- Community & Culture Pink Triangle Ceremony, Harvey Milk Day, and the Castro Street Fair
- Professional Sports Pregame, halftime, and stadium performances for Bay FC, SF Giants, and Golden State Warriors
- Signature Concerts Community concert series, the annual Dance-Along Nutcracker®, and Spotlight gala fundraiser
Come Watch a Rehearsal
Most prospective members visit a rehearsal or catch a concert before deciding to join. We’ll help you find an ensemble and pick a night to stop by and check us out. No pressure, no audition.
Have questions first? Check out our New Member FAQ.