What an exciting year this has been so far!

Capitol Pride Symphonic Band is on the threshold of our first concert this year - Song and Dance.

DC Swing! has one peformance under its belt and getting ready for gig in Georgetown on May 16. See the bottom of the second column.

The Marching Band committee has met and is planning exciting performances for the summer.

And, the Quilt Panels Committee has been meeting to get things in motion for our concert on December 1st to benefit HIV and AIDS Services here in DC. CPSB will be performing Rob Maggio's work for band and chorus Quilt Panels - for my love, for my grief, for my letting go. The Georgetown Chorale under the direction of Dr. Elaine Rendler will be performing with us.

Last year the DCDD Board sent out a letter to our supporters asking for financial help. At that time we set up two categories of giving - the Drummer's Circle and the Conductor's Circle.

Soon you will be hearing from us again to help us raise $30,000 to support our performance efforts this year. We're part of the way there already!

That sounds like a lot of money - and it is! Those monies will support our concert on December 1st, as well as our regular performances.

Tax refunds are in the mail - and now is the time to plan for charitable giving for this year. Please remember that DCDD is a non-profit organization and we strive to reach out to the wider community with our music.

One last thing - a year ago DCDD's Capitol Pride Symphonic Band made the trek to Concord, New Hampshire. The trip was significant for the band in many ways. It was an opportunity to reach out to a different community, and it was a great morale boost for band members. And I love this photo!

Cheers! David David E. McBee President, DC's Different Drummers

In the 5 years that I have been a musician with DC's Different Drummers (DCDD), I have been a part of a community that is unlike any other.

DCDD is a very important and large part of my life, as it is for many members, and I consider the group very much my family.

DCDD has been built - and continues to thrive - on trust, support, encouragement, friendship, caring, and respect for each other and for the musical goals of the organization.

The DCDD family encourages growth - both personal and musical - among its members; unique qualities offered by individuals are respected, appreciated, encouraged, and celebrated.

The dedication that members have to the organization and to each other serves to strengthen our bonds, both personally and musically. Members truly care about each other and the high levels of caring, respect, and musicianship are palpable at every rehearsal, every gathering, and every performance.

If it weren't for the love and support offered by each member, I honestly don’t know if I could have found and created a life that I now treasure, value, and adore.

The value of DCDD is indescribable and I only hope that I have given to DCDD as much as it has given to me; I highly doubt that it's possible, but I sure want to try - and I will for a long time to come. Carpe diem!!

- Anja Maguire

Featured will be the World Premiere of Songs of my Family, a 45 minute song cycle with chamber orchestra by composer Robert Seeley and lyricist Robert Espindola. The work was commissioned by GMCW brings to life stories about LGBT Families with soaring melodies and beautiful, touching lyrics.

CPSB will be performing Rise of the Firebird, Holst's Suite #1 for Concert Band, American Elegy by Frank Ticheli and Jungle Fantasy. In addition, CPSB will perform two works with GMCW - When You Believe and Randall Thompson's Testament of Freedom.

For more information about the show and tickets - see the GMCW Website.

Featured in the concert is the symphonic band arrangement of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. This is a lusty and energetic work that is perfect for Spring.

Click on image for full-size flyer

Other works on the program include a medley of Disney tunes, Bernstein's America from West Side Story, Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry, and Ravel's Bolero. This concert gives our musicians a chance to shine with some delightful solos. Tickets are on sale through the DCDD Box Office and from Lambda Rising 1625 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

We are also happy to have Gay Men's Chorus of Washington Artistic Director Jeffrey Buhrnam with us to conduct CPSB for the song - Someone to Watch over Me.