Join us for an extraordinary season as we celebrate our 35th anniversary with three unique and powerful concerts.
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Spring 2019 PGSB Concert
April 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm PDT
We are holding Silent Auction 2019 at our next symphony concert on April 20th to support two new initiatives:
- Bridge City Youth Band debuting on June 28, 2019
- National Lesbian and Gay Band Association Conference (hosted by RCGFB July 22-26, 2020)
We are seeking donations for the auction such as jewelry, gift cards, wine, adventures, yoga classes, art, wellness sessions, and tickets for concerts, museums, or sports. Take us to our goal of $3,500, and support RCGFB’s growth. What can you do to make this happen? You can start by emailing our Auction Guru, Ed Osowski, at eosowski@rcgfb.org.
#Resist II
A “One word battle cry” for those who oppose the regime of oppression, #RESIST II seeks to represent—and remind—us of the toll of fascism; while also celebrating the multicultural and diverse musical landscape that makes the United States one of the most artistically rich countries in the world.
The Portland Gay Symphonic Band will first take you on a journey that explores sounds from our neighbors to the South in H. Owen Reed’s “La Fiesta Mexicana,” touch on a modern rendition of Middle-Eastern sounds with Hazo’s “Arabesque,” while also exploring LGBT composer, Camille Saint-Saens’s “Hail! California,” which blends stylings of Western Europe and North American music, complimented by none other than George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.”
In contrast to celebrating the musical melting pot that the United States has become, #RESIST II will explore musical examples of how hegemonic systems have done significant harm, and how history’s lessons must not be forgotten. Daniel Bukvich’s “Symphony No. 1 “In Memoriam of Dresden” reminds us of the perils of fascist, hate-driven war. Guided by our featured vocalist, Korland Simmons—born in Little Rock, Arkansas—Randall Standrige’s poignant “The Nine” takes the listener on a gripping journey of courage and resistance, with a piece composed in honor of the Little Rock Nine, whose bravery depict what Standridge refers to as a ‘watershed moment in American history.’
The Portland Gay Symphonic band is also pleased to present the winner of the 2nd annual Young Artists Solo Competition, John Nguyen, a senior at Westview High School (Beaverton, OR), who will perform the 3rd movement of the Ibert Flute Concerto, as the featured guest instrumental performer of the evening.