MISSION

The Mid America Freedom Band provides a safe space for instrumental performance opportunities, outreach, and social advocacy for music enthusiasts within the LGBTQ+ and ally spectrum of the Kansas City area to create an inclusive community that fosters and celebrates diversity.

Vision

We strive to create a more inclusive, diverse, and celebrated community through music as Kansas City's premier volunteer ensemble.

Diversity

In concert, programming, and events, Show-Me Pride Ensembles serves musical and social needs. Our organization…

Promotes the underrepresented voices and stories of those who forge new paths by acknowledging and addressing systemic barriers to the stage
Enriches wind band repertoire through premieres, commissions, and performances of works outside of the canon
Challenges expectations of member musicians and audiences
Establishes a place to celebrate the vibrancy of our multiple communities, artistically and historically.

Anti-Racism and Social Activism

As we honor Pride Month in June, we must also be aware that though we are celebrating our LGBTQIA+ identities, our Black neighbors and friends are systematically oppressed by violent and racist means. We would not have a Pride Month to celebrate had it not been for our trans and queer people of color rioting to let the world know we would no longer allow such oppression. We owe it to our intersectional communities to continually address these wrongs. We will not be forced back into the closet, undoing all the progress made in the last 50+ years. Protests are the language of an unheard people. We remember our modern history started with a brick thrown by Marsha P. Johnson and kick-lines in front of police in riot gear. Without Marsha, without Black Lives, we wouldn't have Pride.

We mourn the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, KC's Ryan Stokes, and countless others whose names we do not know but should. MAFB will continue upholding the values of the organization's diversity statement that, in part, reads "[MAFB] promotes the underrepresented voices and stories of those who forge new paths by acknowledging and addressing systemic barriers to the stage."

We are evaluating our policies and procedures with a focus on anti-racism practices. We welcome admonishment when we falter in our musical and social mission and encourage others to do the same so that we all can do better by our Black siblings.

Black Lives Matter. Trans Rights Are Human Rights.

HISTORY

Alan Day and Zachary Parker began discussing the formation of a band during the summer of 2001. Originally planned as a senior Drum & Bugle Corp, the founders decided to shift focus into becoming a performing musical organization focused on Kansas City’s LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transsexual, and Ally) community. Mid America Freedom Band held its first rehearsal on April 18, 2002 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Kansas City with four musicians. That same year MAFB also became a proud full member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (now Pride Bands Alliance) an organization of over 35 similar bands across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

On November 15, 2003 MAFB, under the leadership of Zachary Parker, gave its first concert, “Journeys” with only 13 local musicians aided by St. Louis’ Band Together. Mid America Freedom Band in 2004 became incorporated as a non-profit entity and a board of directors took office in 2005. In 2006 the band added an annual holiday concert to the fall and spring season, as well as many other outreach events. The band that once numbered barely a half dozen now has approximately 80+ members to include multiple performing ensembles.

MAFB believes in producing high-quality performances that are entertaining and accessible to all walks of life, while creating a safe, fun, and supportive atmosphere for its members and patrons.