6 total workshops will be held during the same time as the Concert Band rehearsals. Each will be repeated so performers in both bands can attend.

With the exception of Workshop 4: Spin Class (Color Guard 101), workshops will be held in conference rooms Maestro A and B.

For those arriving early, Attic Brewing’s spacious beer garden and taproom will provide the perfect backdrop for both reuniting with your friends from across the country and making new ones! A community staple since opening in 2020, Attic prides itself in its inclusivity, bringing together people of all backgrounds. Their staff is super excited to welcome us!

Attic is only a 15 minute train ride from Center City. Meet at the DoubleTree hotel lobby at 5:30 PM to join the group taking the train there together! Plenty of parking is available for those driving.

For drinks, Attic not only has its delicious award-winning brews, but cocktail and mocktail options and other N/A beverages. We want to ensure everyone can have a good time, including those not partaking in alcohol! In terms of food, Attic will have an excellent soul food truck that evening, including ample vegetarian options; Deke’s BBQ is next door for another option.

Welcome to Philadelphia! When you arrive at the DoubleTree, head to our registration table outside of the Ormandy West ballroom to check in and get your conference badge! Our registration, information, and merch hub will be there Thursday through Saturday.

Is this your first Pride Bands conference? If so, welcome! We encourage you to join our first timers orientation session in the Ormandy East ballroom. We’ll go over some general conference info and answer any questions you may have.

Informal meeting of artistic directors from Pride Bands member bands.

Bring your instrument, flip folder and lyre, and anything else you might need for Pep Band rehearsal.

If you want to participate in Pep Band, but anticipate needing a chair for this rehearsal or other events, please contact Drum Major Robin Coyne so we can ensure there are enough chairs to go around ([email protected]).

Led by: Evan Howington & Denny Richard from Rose City Pride Bands.

Does it feel like your band is being run by just a few frazzled Frans? Maybe two stressed-out Stephens? Learn how to build a volunteer program that gets everyone in the band to help out! RCPB (Portland) went from less than a dozen to over 100 volunteers in just under two years and so can your band!

Led by: Oliver Spirito from Atlanta Freedom Bands.

Software professional and Atlanta Freedom Bands member Oliver Spirito shares some of the best free or near-free tools for your non-profit. From social media automation to expense and spend control, we’ll cover not only some tools to enhance your organization, but we’ll double click on some hidden features to set you up for success.

Enjoy a fun evening of jazz, drag, and dancing in the Symphony ballroom for the Band Things Happen Welcome Social! The event will feature:

• a set by Philadelphia Freedom Band’s own Jazz Ensemble, led by Esau Jones
• performances from 3 talented Philadelphia drag performers and musicians
• tunes from Philadelphia DJ Carl Michaels

*Drinks offered at a cash-only bar, so be sure to bring cash or get some from the ATM available in hotel lobby! We will be able to make change for larger bills, if you need ones for tips. Light fare will be provided.

Join us bright and early for the Pride Bands Alliance Town Hall Meeting. Hear updates from the Pride Bands board, learn more about next year’s 2027 conference in Seattle, and more.

Led by: Scott Helms, Artistic Director for Desert Overture Wind Symphony.

This is a hands-on, play-your-instrument workshop that will demonstrate specific and creative ways to practice those tough music passages. Just slowing the tempo down isn’t always the most effective approach! The workshop will also address how to “self-edit” passages that just aren’t going to happen for you, so that you can simplify but still play and contribute without detracting from the performance. Music will be projected on a screen, so you won’t need music stands, but DO bring your instrument! *NOTE: this workshop is not terribly applicable to percussion instruments – sorry percussionists!

Led by: Philadelphia Freedom Band’s Color Guard.

We will meet in the Ormandy lobby and walk to a nearby open space. (Exact location TBD: either parking lot at 306 S 13th Street or along Cypress Street by Lil NasX mural; if neither location is available, may have to walk a further to one of the nearby parks or squares.)

The Friday Pep Band and Color Guard rehearsal/performance will include a short stroll from the DoubleTree Hotel to the recently-opened Philly Pride Visitor Center in the Gayborhood, where we will then perform a full set.

The event, in partnership with Philly Pride 365 and the Philly Pride Visitors Center, will also feature the giant rainbow pride flag that is part of the city’s annual Pride Month celebrations!

Uniform: Represent your home band in style on the street of Philly by wearing your band t-shirt! Wear whatever you want on bottom and comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes.

Join your fellow conference attendees for a fun board game night in the Ormandy West ballroom! Games will be provided, but feel free to bring your own too.

Led by George Allica.

Exact location TBD: Will be held either in one of the workshop spaces depending on availability (Maestro A or B, Concerto A or B, or Aria A or B) or in Ormandy West ballroom.

The Saturday Pep Band and Color Guard performance will be a stand-and-play event outside the Please Touch Museum in West Fairmount Park. We will welcome guests to Visit Philadelphia’s “Firstival,” a free block party celebrating the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the first World’s Fair held in the U.S.!

Meet in the Ormandy Lobby for transportation to the venue.

Uniform: Wear your conference t-shirt, plus whatever you want on bottom and comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes.

Led by: Alex Alberti from Triangle Pride Band.

Strategic planning is one of the most important factors in keeping a nonprofit moving forward and aligned to its mission. It can be easy for organizations to drift from their intended goals and stagnant in their development. In this session, Pride Band board members and leaders will learn about a top-down approach to strategic planning, which will allow organizations to work towards expansion of its programming and capacity. Additionally, strategies for goal management will be discussed through implementation of free project management software.

Led by: Doug Litwin or other JSEF representative.

Learn more about the Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts, which works to attract donations and bequests, invest the contributions, and distribute grants to qualified LGBTQ+ non-profit performing arts organizations.

Join us for the Conference Jazz Ensemble and Small Ensembles performance!

*Drinks offered at a cash-only bar, so be sure to bring cash or get some from the ATM available in hotel lobby! Light fare will be provided.

Led by: David Szczepanik from Philadelphia Freedom Band.

Meet in the DoubleTree lobby to join the tour of the Gayborhood’s many amazing murals!

Conference attendees who are registered to participate in the Pride Bands Alliance Marching Band in the 2027 Rose Parade are invited to attend a session which will include networking, announcements, and rehearsal.

Participants will have a chance to hear from conference special guest Terry Madigan, president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

The Kimmel Center is located 1 block from the DoubleTree Hotel. For both the dress rehearsals and concert call, performers will enter via the back entrance at 321 S 15th Street. There are stairs and a wheelchair-accessible lift to get inside the venue; once inside, you can get between floors in the back-of-stage area via elevator.

*Your conference badge is required for access to the venue, so don’t forget to wear it!

The dress rehearsals and concert will be held on the stage of the iconic Marian Anderson Hall. Conference volunteers will be available to help guide performers through the back-of-stage area to our green room space, where you can assemble your instruments and leave your cases and bags.

Take a break between dress rehearsal and call time – be sure to grab some dinner and change into your concert black attire before heading back to the Kimmel Center!

Call time for both concert bands is 6 PM, and the concert starts at 7 PM. Performers will again enter via the entrance at 321 S 15th Street.

Uniform: Concert black. *You will need to come to the Kimmel Center at call time dressed and ready to go, as there will not be changing space available.

During the concert, the ensemble not performing on stage will be seated in the Tier 1 section of the hall. Conference credentials will be required to access this area, which will not be open to the general audience; volunteers and ushers will be available to direct performers between the back-of-stage area and these seats.

PFB’s Marching Band and Color Guard will be participating in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Narberth the morning of Monday 5/25, and we welcome you to join us!

If you will still be in town and would like to join, please email PFB Drum Major Robin Coyne at [email protected] to indicate your interest in participating! We could always use more musicians – though we will not have additional marching drums available – as well as flag/banner carriers and other band aides.

Transportation will not be provided, but we may organize a group to meet up at DoubleTree and take public transit together. *Note: SEPTA will be running on a holiday/Sunday schedule, so trains will only be once an hour – anyone coming from Center City via train will need to take the 8:00 AM train from Jefferson Station.

Uniform: We are asking our guests to wear Bright, Bold, & Colorful clothing in lieu of any formal uniform! Plus comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes (as this parade is over a mile, with a lot of hills).