ARTISTIC DIRECTORS:

Dr. Lee Hartman, 2012 – Present

Skip Schrock, 2010 – 2012

Presten Fry, 2007 – 2009

Zachary Parker, 2002 – 2006

Rehearsals

Thursdays, 7-9 pm, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO 

Learn more about our past seasons.

JOIN US!

Rehearsals are open to all musicians age 18+. There are no auditions to perform in MAFB, but we do ask that you be able to read music. Email info@freedomband.com for more information.

Covid-19

MAFB follows industry standard covid prevention practices. The group currently strongly recommends but does not require vaccines for all playing members and concert attendees.

Alan Day and Zachary Parker began discussing the formation of a band during the summer of 2001. Originally planned as a senior Drum & Bugle Corp, the founders decided to shift focus into becoming a performing musical organization focused on Kansas City’s LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transsexual, and Ally) community. Mid America Freedom Band held its first rehearsal on April 18, 2002 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Kansas City with four musicians. That same year MAFB also became a proud full member of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (now Pride Bands Alliance) an organization of over 35 similar bands across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

On November 15, 2003 MAFB, under the leadership of Zachary Parker, gave its first concert, “Journeys” with only 13 local musicians aided by St. Louis’ Band Together. Mid America Freedom Band in 2004 became incorporated as a non-profit entity and a board of directors took office in 2005. In 2006 the band added an annual holiday concert to the fall and spring season, as well as many other outreach events. The band that once numbered barely a half dozen now has approximately 80+ members to include multiple performing ensembles.

MAFB believes in producing high-quality performances that are entertaining and accessible to all walks of life, while creating a safe, fun, and supportive atmosphere for its members and patrons.