Whether you're gay, straight, or somewhere in between- PPWS wants you! No Audition Required!!!

Our members have a wide range of skill levels, we just ask you are able to read music (even if you simply need a refresher). We play concert band literature composed of classical music, popular music, holiday jingles, custom commissions, and you can bet those Holst's suites are coming back to haunt you.

Join us at a rehearsal to see what we are all about! Open to all wind players, brass, percussionists, and string bass players! We are a diverse group of musicians who gather to develop our musicianship skills and perform for the LGBTA community and other local events.

If you are planning to join us at rehearsal as a new member, please reach out to us via our 'contact us' page.

WHEN/WHERE DOES PPWS REHEARSE?
Rehearsals will resume late January 2012. Pittsburgh Pride Wind Symphony rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Rehearsals are held at East Liberty Presbyterian Church 116 S. Highland Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

DO I HAVE TO READ MUSIC OR HAVE PERFORMING EXPERIENCE?
We do prefer that you have a basic background in reading music. We do have members at all levels of performing. Some merely played in high school, some are professional musicians. Others learned to read and play music when they joined the band. Most of us come to the band with a high school level of playing ability. We do our best to accommodate everyone and make sure everyone is having a good time.

I HAVEN’T PLAYED IN A WHILE. IS THAT OK?
Most definitely. Many of our members had not played for years, some for decades when they first joined. You will find that playing your instrument is much like riding a bike. It will come back to you very quickly. We have plenty of resource material available to new members to get them reacquainted with their instrument.

IS THERE AN ATTENDANCE POLICY?
In short, yes. However, we realize that everyone has constraints on their schedules, and making it to every single rehearsal can sometimes be a bit unrealistic. All we ask is that you contact the director if you are going to miss or be late to a rehearsal. Excessive absences make it difficult for the member to be fully prepared for a performance. It is up to the director if a member has missed too many rehearsals to perform an event.

WOULD I HAVE TO SELL ANYTHING?
Band members are asked to help sell tickets to the concerts and at times engage in other fundraising efforts for the organization. However, there are no mandatory requirements to sell.

ARE THERE ANY COSTS TO BEING INVOLVED?
Membership dues are an important part of our budget. Dues provide rehearsal space, conference participation with LGBA, advertising, as well as an array of areas which need to offset expenses of PPWS. There are scholarships available to help singers defray these costs. While we rely on membership dues to help pay our bills, we do not want to exclude talented, dedicated musicians because of inability to pay dues. Please communicate with our Treasurer or President if finances are an issue. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay dues.

HOW MANY PERFORMANCES DOES PPWS DO EACH YEAR?
It varies, however we usually do two concerts within a six month span.

DO I HAVE TO BE OUT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BAND?
No. If you elect not to have your name published in any of our programs or correspondence we support your decision to make those life decisions on your own. However, you must be willing to perform with the band at all scheduled performances.

I DON’T PLAY AN INSTUMENT, BUT WOULD LOVE TO HELP. IS THERE A PLACE FOR ME?
ABSOLUTELY!! We are always looking for volunteers to help out with designing programs or flyers, aiding us the day of a performance by being an usher, carrying a banner in a parade, keeping us hydrated during a parade, etc. We are also looking to have a color guard for our marching band. Anyone interested in any of these should contact the President.