Page 6 - Demo

6 | Produced by ST Content Studio By Bree Covenn every Seattle Pride parade since 1998, Rainbow City Marching Band is right up front, unmistakable in its uniforms and numbers, its triumphant sound announcing its arrival as one of Pride%u2019s most memorable and heralded traditions.Rainbow City Color Guard performs a choreographed routine with flags with Rainbow City Marching Band in 2024%u2019s Seattle Pride Parade. (Courtesy of Rainbow City Performing Arts)Marching with Pride: Loud, proud marching band takes to the streetsA loud and proud marching band with a spirited drum line and glittering color guard, Rainbow City represents LGBTQ+ musicians in outdoor events all summer %u2014 including performances at this year%u2019s Seattle Pride in the Park and the Seattle Pride Parade. %u201cSeeing the joy on people%u2019s faces, marching forward into that canyon of support and humanity is just the biggest thrill,%u201d says Damien Hall, executive director of Rainbow City Performing Arts.The marching band is the founding ensemble under the umbrella of the nonprofit Rainbow City Performing Arts, which has grown to eight programs, including concert bands, orchestras, jazz bands, chamber ensembles and Reign City Riot, a pep band for Seattle Reign FC. Its mission is twofold, says Hall: %u201cto create diverse and inclusive places for musical expression and to create visibility and equity for LGBTQIA+ people through our music.%u201dRainbow City isn%u2019t a typical marching band. In addition to woodwind, brass and percussion, it welcomes string players. %u201cViolins and cellos play flute parts, because no one writes for strings for marching bands,%u201d Hall says.