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Member Handbook

Updated for 2025-2026

Welcome!

Introduction
The Houston Pride Band is an adult, volunteer symphonic band comprised primarily of musicians from the Houston-area LGBTQ+ community and its straight allies. While previous experience on a traditional wind ensemble instrument is required, the nature of a diverse community band will include a wide range of musical skills and expertise. The Houston Pride Band is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization which is financially supported by member dues, grants, performance ticket sales, and donations.
The Band generally performs four concerts per year, with other performances added as scheduling permits. The Band also marches in the annual Houston Pride Parade (Summer), and sometimes travels to march in other cities’ pride parades. Joining the Houston Pride Band means making a commitment to rehearse and perform for at least one concert in a given performance year. While we strive for musical excellence and take our rehearsing and music-making very seriously, we also know how to have fun. The Band provides opportunities for both musical and social interactions. We have many opportunities to make friends with bandmates, such as pre-rehearsal dinners, post-rehearsal socials, happy hours, brunches, holiday & summer parties, and trips to participate in events hosted by other pride bands around the country. We encourage all our members to immerse themselves in the social & volunteer aspects of membership, as well as the artistic. We hope that some of the most frequently asked questions about the band will be answered in this handbook. Its purpose is to provide valuable information about the Houston Pride Band experience. If a problem or question is not covered here, please let a member of the Board know.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Houston Pride Band is:
  • to provide a welcoming, comfortable and safe musical outlet for LGBT and allied musicians to participate in a community band setting.
  • to encourage interest in public and private music education through concerts and events that uplift and inspire musical interest in people of all ages.
  • to use musical performances to support local community organizations and events.
  • to host and participate in local, state, national, and international conferences that foster the continuing participation of all individuals in community musical programs
Membership
Membership in the Houston Pride Band is open to all musicians, age 18 & up, with previous experience on a traditional wind ensemble instrument. We welcome musicians of all skill levels, sexual orientations & gender identities/expressions.
Calendar
The Band rehearses each year from August through June, performing four main stage concerts. Additionally, there are opportunities to perform in community events with our marching & pep bands, as well as in chamber music ensembles.
Rehearsals
The symphonic band rehearses on Wednesday nights from 7:30-9:30 pm from. Additional or extended rehearsals may be called at the discretion of the Artistic Directors, with adequate notice to members. See below for our attendance policy.

Band Communication

The Band App
The Band uses an app called Band (ironically) for its day-to-day band business. This includes our band calendar, regular announcements, sign-up sheets, RSVPs, etc. This is for official band business, and using this app is a requisite for membership in the Houston Pride Band. Link to Join
Google Group
The Band uses a Google Group as an email distribution list for members. It is used to distribute the band newsletter and convey other important/official announcments in writing. New members are invited to join the Google Group (houstonprideband@ googlegroups.com) when they join band.
Private Facebook Group
Since the Band App is reserved for formal band-related business, HPB maintains a private Facebook group for more informal/fun interactions, such as sharing of events, memes, photos, etc. Participating is not required, but access to the group is private - a current group member will need to invite you to join in order to see the Group at facebook.com/groups/houstonprideband.

Member Dues

Houston Pride Band is an all-volunteer organization, funded by private donations, grants, and membership dues. Your membership dues help us cover the cost of such things as rehearsal space, music purchases, concert venues, instrument maintenance, marketing, and storage space. We ask that each member show their support for the band by paying dues of $100 per season. These dues can be paid in installments. If you are unable to cover your membership dues, we can make other arrangements with you – no one is ever turned away because they are unable to pay their dues.

Code of Conduct

Houston Pride Band is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all members. In order to support our mission of creating a supportive and friendly environment for musical and artistic expression while promoting social acceptance, equality, and harmony, it is important for all members and volunteers to conduct themselves in a manner that both represents the band in a positive light to the world and makes all members and volunteers feel welcome and safe. ** This is only an excerpt of the band's Code of Conduct. See the band's Membership Agreement for the full Code of Conduct language.

Attendance Policy

Symphonic band rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm. As our rehearsal time is limited, a full ensemble is needed to make the most out of every rehearsal, and for each band member to be fully prepared for the concert. Members are expected to make every effort to attend each rehearsal. However, we understand that circumstances may arise that may prevent you from attending a rehearsal. If you cannot make a rehearsal, please RSVP on the Band App and let your section leader know that you will not be in attendance.
Out of respect for your fellow members, you may miss no more than 3 rehearsals during a concert cycle. Members who miss more than 3 rehearsals during a concert cycle may not perform the concert or appear in the concert program. Exceptions to the Attendance Policy may only be granted by the Artistic Directors. If you are aware that may miss more than 3 rehearsals during a concert cycle, please speak to the Artistic Directors in advance, as they may make special arrangements regarding the Attendance Policy at their discretion. Additional attendance-related policies:
  • Solos will be assigned to members who are in compliance with the attendance policy. Solo lines may be reassigned as a result of moving out of compliance with the attendance policy.
  • New members who join band in the middle of a concert cycle must attend at least 4 rehearsals to perform that concert.
  • Members who are not performing in a concert are welcome to attend some rehearsals and participate; however, the last three rehearsals of the cycle should be limited to those who are performing the concert.
Membership Agreement
Each year, every band member receives a copy of these three key policies, which together form our HPB Membership Agreement. Members sign the agreement as an attestation of their intent to comply with the membership policies and other expectations of membership in the organization. Failure to adhere to the policies could results in membership suspension or revocation by the Board of Directors. Click here to submit your membership agreement for the 2025-2026 season
Auditions
We do not currently have auditions to join band. Section leaders will work to assign parts so that each of us is playing our best. The Artistic Director may also make part assignments for certain pieces, and may ask for auditions for highlighted solo lines.
Practice
Members are expected to practice their music outside of rehearsal. Pitches, rhythms and individual technique should be worked on in personal practice so that band rehearsal time is spent developing the ensemble, working out issues of intonation and balance, and dealing with artistic concerns.
Punctuality
With only one meeting per week, rehearsal time is critical to our musical success. It is essential that members arrive at rehearsal early so that they are in their seats, with their instruments out and warmed up ready to rehearse at 7:30.
Cell Phones
Please stay off your phones during rehearsals, as they can be a distraction. Cell phones should always be off/silent during rehearsal. Note: Some band leaders do keep their cell phones handy in order to respond to band business during rehearsal. (e.g. when someone needs building access)
Equipment
The band owns and maintains many concert & marching instruments. Some equipment can be rented from the band for those who need to borrow an instrument. Please communicate with the Equiment Director to discuss your needs and our available resources.
Uniform
For concert band performances, unless otherwise specified for a particular performance, all musicians wear concert black. All visible clothing should be all-black and of good quality: shirts, slacks, shoes, socks/stockings, skirts, dress, belt, etc.
Rehearsal Ettiquette
Efficient rehearsals produce SUPERIOR band performances. Always try to enter the band hall with a purpose of accomplishing our musical goals, as it provides us all an opportunity to set aside distractions from the outside world and make beautiful music together. Please come prepared by having all equipment in the proper working condition by handling instrument care/maintenance at home. Have a pencil at every rehearsal to mark your music. Rehearsals run smoother when the rehearsal atmosphere is at an above average level of focus. Members can make a big difference in the direction of a rehearsal by following these etiquette guidelines:● Give the conductor your undivided attention.● Keep talking to a minimum. ● If you are lost in a piece, do not interrupt the band’s playing by shouting out for help. Ask a neighbor or raise your hand.● Be at ready position unless told otherwise. If the conductor’s hands are up, they are ready to begin. Be ready to start playing.● Your questions are important! If there is something you need to know, chances are that information will be helpful to others, too. When you have a question, raise your hand at the next opportunity, and try to allow the conductor to control the flow of rehearsal by determining the appropriate time to call for your question.

Band Leadership

Board of Directors

As a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, the Houston Pride Band is led by a nine-member Board of Directors. Directors are elected to the Board by the members of the band each spring. The Board of Directors is the managing body of the organization and is responsible for the organizational, financial, and musical well-being of the corporation. The decision of the Board of Directors is final in all matters. Board member areas of responsibility for 2025-2026:

Artistic Leadership

Deborah Hirsch & Anthony Morris
Deborah & Anthony are our Artistic Director & Associate Artistic Director respectively, and they are our symphonic band conductors. Their roles include planning our concert season, deciding on concert themes, selecting musical repertoire, choosing soloists and/or guest conductors, and working with our section leaders on the musical advancement of the ensemble. They are volunteers who are appointed to their positions by the Board of Directors.
Chris Foster
Chris is our Marching & Pep Band Director. He is responsible for preparing the band for pep band performances and parades, selecting repertoire, planning & executing rehearsals and conducting/managing public performance events.

Section Leaders

Section Leaders are reliable & responsible senior members of the band who help manage the band by organizing their section, distributing part assignments, and otherwise assisting the Board and Artistic Leaders with communication to individual members. Sections Leaders are appointed by the Artistic Directors. Section leaders for 2025-2026:

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