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CAMP MAGAZINE FEATURES MID AMERICA FREEDOM BAND
Article Highlights Upcoming Concert
MAFB on the cover of Camp!
Presenting a Swinging Sound for the Season Finale
March 15, 2008
by Bradley Osborn
 Mid America Freedom Band (MAFB) wraps up its 2007-08 regular season In the Mood series of concerts this spring with the sound of swing. Fans of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman will be treated to tunes that include “In the Mood,” “A String of Pearls,” “Let’s Dance,” “Mood Indigo,” “Take the ‘A’ Train” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000.” In the Mood for That Big Band Sound! takes the stage April 5 at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. The band formed in 2002 with the help of the St. Louis LGBTA band, Band Together. Some of MAFB’s original members belonged to the short-lived Show Me Freedom Band in the 1990s. As a show of solidarity, MAFB and Band Together plan to send members to play during the Pride celebrations in each other’s cities. In 2005, a couple of MAFB members attended the Gay Games in Chicago, playing in a mass band. Both Band Together and the now six-year-old Mid America Freedom Band belong to the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. The association held its 25th anniversary conference in St. Louis in 2007, and this year’s convention is set for New York City. Attendees will have the opportunity to play in the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade as part of the Big Apple Corps. With rare exception, the 47-member Mid America Freedom Band meets every week. Its current practice home is Central Presbyterian Church, and it has met in the past at both Broadway Church and Trinity Methodist Church. Members often socialize after practice, attend fundraisers together or go en masse to events such as local musical theater productions. Trumpet player Chuck Jackson joined the band in 2003 after a two-decade absence from instrumental music. His desire to return to music was impelled by the chance to do so with an LGBTA organization. Parts are passed around instead of having players compete for them, and everyone eventually has a chance to play a solo. Members’ talents run the gamut, yet they help one another without pressure or intimidation. Several players play multiple instruments, and membership is diverse. The minimum age for membership is 18 years, and the group has men and women, and both gay and straight members. The band also has an auxiliary group of non-performing members called Rests. The work of the Rests is invaluable: ticket-selling/ticket-taking, data-entry, organizational tasks, ushering, public relations, etc. Anyone interested in joining the Rests or playing in the band may contact Kristopher Stice at executive.director@mafbmusic.org. MAFB brought in Joe Nadeau, the artistic director of Heartland Men’s Chorus, earlier this year to serve as a clinician in the group’s first semi-annual band camp. The purpose of the camp was technical training and guidance. Presten Fry, MAFB artistic director, also believes that it’s important for musicians to learn from multiple conductors. Fry started out as board member of Mid America Freedom Band, and moved into a conductor role. He sometimes shares conducting duties with Gaylen Bourland and Skip Schrock, reserving artistic direction for himself. With a background in choral music and percussion, Fry has learned a lot about instrumental music during his tenure with the band. He is now finalizing the band’s next concert cycle. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Mid America Freedom Band relies on member dues, fundraisers and donations to sustain itself. It also accepts in-kind donations – a baritone saxophone now tops its wish list. Tubular bells would also be a welcome acquisition. Anyone who has ever played a musical instrument knows that they don’t come cheap, and usually the bigger they are, the higher the price tag. The band has managed to amass a few organization-owned instruments, but most members possess their own. MAFB audiences are composed of friends and family and the general public, with many first-time attendees remarking on how the band is a well-kept secret. Each concert brings new attire for the band members; this time it will be tux shirts, red bow ties and red vests. The band has a new jazz ensemble that many will enjoy, and on occasion one will find Four Men Singing performing with the larger group. Look for the band this year at AIDS Walk, Kansas City Gay Pride and Out in Westport. The Mid America Freedom Band’s 2008-09 concert series schedule will be announced shortly. The band will award two $250 music scholarships at its Aug. 7 Martinis & Music fundraiser at bar Natasha. Mid America Freedom Band In the Mood for That Big Band Sound! April 5 Performance at 8 p.m.at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts 4747 Flora Ave, Kansas City, Mo. 64110 $10 tickets available at www.mafbmusic.org. *Article, cover image and photos used with permission from Camp Magazine, www.campkc.com. |
