Noteworthy and Previous Events
The Philadelphia Freedom Band presents: Unity in Rhythm
CLICK HERE FOR THE DIGITAL CONCERT PROGRAM
Join the Philadelphia Freedom Band's concert band on Sunday, May 5th, for our spring concert playing a selection of dances from around the world. Featuring music from Carol Brittin Chambers, Yasuhide Ito, Alfred Reed, Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, and Michele Fernandez. On Sunday, May 5th, the Philadelphia Freedom Band hosted our Spring 2024 concert. Artistic Director Hayley Varhol led the band in songs such as: Festal Scenes by Yasuhide Ito, Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett, Armenian Dances by Alfred Reed, The Rusty Bucket by Carol Brittan Chambers, Little Mexican Suite MVt 4 Ceiba by Nubia Jaime Donjuan.
The percussion section was thankful for new equipment first used at this performance including: a new 26 inch timpani, finger cymbals, a new high hat stand, finger cymbals, a bongo stand, new cymbal straps, 15 new music stands, a new rainstick, a new picolo marching snare drum, and a new set of Congas. The Philadelphia Freedom Band also spent approximately $2300 on the above purchases. We are extremely thankful for the support of JSEF to obtain this necessary percussion equipment to expand our concert band repertoire.
On November 4th, 2023, Esau Jones directed the first stand-alone jazz concert by the Philadelphia Freedom Band.
https://vimeo.com/888325804/4d6c90c519
Please print this full size image and share!
Come to the PFB Spring Concert!
Sunday, April 30th, 2023, 4pm.
at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (19 S 38th St.)
"PFB Presents: ODD JOBS
Seeking adventurers, athletes, performers, metallurgists, pilots, cattle wranglers, childcare professionals, and superheroes. Must be able to function in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful work environment. Competitive salary and flexible hours. Apply within, no experience required."
Event Link: https://fb.me/e/2tCN01Vc3
Digital Program for Sunday 1/22/23 Concert, 4pm, 19 S 38th St.
Save the Date for our Winter Concert: RSVP on Facebook. https://fb.me/e/1toZsXipg
On this season’s program, we’ll hear quite a spectrum of sounds– from the infernal ferocity of a white whale named Moby Dick to the whimsical hijinks of a scheming elf, and on to the explosive energy of a pegasus bursting into flight. Not to mention Mussorgsky's creepy witch hut walking around on chicken legs! I’m excited to tackle a wonderfully challenging and continually surprising composition by Pennsylvanian Nancy Galbraith (Danza de los Duendes), and many other treats.
$10 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Bring extra cash, venmo, paypal for our amazing raffles! MASKS REQUIRED INSIDE.
Sunday, 1/22/2023 at 4pm. Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 38th and Chestnut Streets.
Cash/Venmo/Paypal/Cards accepted. Suggested donation, plus bring extra for spectacular raffle prizes raising money for the organization.
Print and share our promotional flyer! https://drive.google.com/file/d/12xGS5fSIFVG4gSbcDeEEzwIgO6xIMh0L/view?usp=sharing
2022 performances included: New Hope Pride Parade, Asbury Park Pride Parade, Princeton Pride Parade, Lehigh Valley Pride festival, as well as performances at Stinger Square and Lanier Park in Grays Ferry, Philadelphia. We performed at Out and About in Manyunk, at the Schuylkill River Park and pHonk!Philly in FDR Park. We participated in the Mayfair Homesburg Thanksgiving Parade, the Philadelphia Holiday Parade and performed at a January St. Joseph's University basketball game with national broadcasting.
Fall 2022: On Saturday, October 1st, 2022 Philadelphia Freedom Band participated in the Out and About in Manayunk weekend event! Watch a video of us play here: https://fb.watch/fVA4UvhkrA/
We also had a blast in the Philadelphia Independence day Parade, 2022 Lehigh Valley Pride in Allentown in August, a community performance at the Schyulkill River Park in September, and are planning to return to the Philadelphia Christmas Parade in December.
Manayunk Out and About poster above,
On left, Allentown, 4th of July, Manayunk,
Fall Schedule below.
Lanier Park Hosts
the Philadelphia Freedom Band!
The City of Philadelphia: Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy is financially supporting the Philadelphia Freedom Band to perform at Lanier Park! Funded as Neighborhood Arts Program.
30th and Tasker in Grays Ferry, South Philly.
Saturday, June 25th. Music starts at 1:00pm!
Come celebrate four years of Lanier Park community in Grays Ferry
Come garden with the Grays Ferry Tree Tenders with flowers from the PHS Flower Show,
Come listen to pop music performed by the Philadelphia Freedom Band,
Come drum and learn about the style & history of music we're playing called secondline and Brazilian samba with Elaine from pHonk Philly,
Come gather with Lanier Park community in collaboration with Philly Thrive!
A successful Spring Concert was held!
April 24th, 2022, 4pm, Doors opened at 3:30,
Come earlier to check out our raffles.
Sunday, April 24th, 2022.
Philadelphia Cathedral
19 S 38th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
$10 entrance requested as able.
“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” – Henry David Thoreau, from Walden
Artistic Director, Hayley Varhol.
Including a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, a transcription of music by Florence Price, and other concert band arrangements focused on nature’s waves, meadows, trees, prairies, and natural phenomena.
Masks requested by attendees.
Performers have up to date vaccines and will be unmasked
The Philadelphia Freedom Band here performs in the 2021 Philadelphia Christmas Parade.
2021 was a rebuilding year for the Philadelphia Freedom Band. We successfully participated in 12 marching band practices at Bartram's Garden, attended the 2021 Lehigh Valley Pride, hosted a concert at St Luke and the Epiphany Episcopal Church with Philly Cheer Elite, participated in the inaugural pHonk festival, and marched in the new Philadelphia Holiday Parade.
2018 Outstanding Local Organization Award
We're proud to be the recipients of the Outstanding Local Organization Award for Culture from the Federation of Gay Games!
Band wins prestigious 2015 OutProud Award
On Sunday October 11, the Philadelphia Freedom Band was was awarded the 2015 OutProud Award for being "an outstanding OutProud member of our community."
Given annually to one LGBT community organization, this award recognizes organizations that represent, unify and support Philadelphia's LGBT community.
The band and its members are honored to be recognized by Philly Pride Presents.
2013 Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, DC
11 members of the Philadelphia Freedom Band marched with 214 other LGBT band members from around the nation in the inauguration parade for President Barack Obama.
2010 Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Freedom Band was the first openly LGBT group to march in this historic parade - in front of Independence Hall.
2009 LGBA Conference in New Orleans
Several of our members marched in a mass band through the French Quarter – the first parade after Hurricane Katrina.
2009 Presidential Inauguration Parade
Two of our members marched in this historic appearance – the first time an openly LGBT group marched in a presidential inauguration parade.