Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles

About Us

Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles is Chicago’s premier family of performance groups for members and friends of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Home to four major ensembles – Jazz Orchestra, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Pops Ensemble – plus over a dozen chamber ensembles, the organization offers a diverse musical experience for both its audience and its members.

Through an annual series of performances and special events, Lakeside Pride provides a forum for adult musicians, inclusive of any background, ethnicity, gender identification or sexual orientation, to represent the LGBTQ community and express themselves through music.

Lakeside Pride is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All ensemble members, conductors and the Board of Directors are volunteers, sharing their time, talent, and love of music. The operating budget comes from ticket sales, small government grants, and the generosity of individuals.

Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles is an inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and a founding member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association.