*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Update #9:

The Commission Has Arrived!

Greetings, The Heart of it All Attendees!

We have made it to July and to conference month! 


Registration is closed. The hotel is full. We are just under two weeks away from The Heart of It All and the 2024 Conference, and the Columbus Team is ready for it! We have a few last-minute announcements and changes for you, so remember to read the entire update so you don’t miss a thing.


Have questions or need additional info? Reach out to conference@columbuspridebands.org for all your conference needs.

Final Registration Numbers

Registration for “The Heart of It All” closed Monday at the stroke of 11:59:59 PM eastern time. Below is our final tally of registration numbers:

We ended with 389 registrations for the conference – 359 in the concert band and 208 in the pep band. We also have 37 registered guests for a grand total of…


427 participants for The Heart of It All! 


Thank you to all of you for your enthusiasm and excitement for our conference!

The Commission Has Arrived!

The Columbus Pride Bands and Queen City Freedom Band are proud to share the commission by acclaimed composer Viet Cuong commemorating Jim Obergefell and his late husband John Arthur. We apologize for the delay, but we think the piece is worth the wait! 


While we had initially expected a two-movement work, with each band premiering one movement, Mr. Cuong felt strongly that the piece worked better as a single movement work, emphasizing the relationship that Jim and John shared. In light of this, we will premiere the piece in what we hope will be a poignant “grand finale” featuring the combined Olentangy and Scioto Bands, with performers both on the stage and in the hall to envelop our audience in this beautiful music. 


Sheet music along with part assignments for the commission will be uploaded to the shared music folders and the concert band rosters over the next 24 hours.


A MIDI recording of the commission has been added to the listening links page which is linked below:

We have added additional rehearsal time on Saturday, July 20th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm between the two tech rehearsals at the Davidson Theatre. We will use this time to rehearse the commission as one massed band. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and patience as we all eagerly awaited this piece.

Concert Band Solos

We’re looking for a few more soloists for some of the major concert band solos!


Anyone interested in a major solo can email artisticdirector@columbuspridebands.org to express their interest and for more information on the audition/selection process.

The Ohio Statehouse Rotunda

Chamber Recital Program

We are excited to announce the program for the Chamber Recital held on Thursday, July 18th starting at 6:30 pm at the historic Ohio Statehouse. Below is the list of ensembles and when and where they will be performing in the Statehouse.

We have eight ensembles and over 75 musicians participating in the recital performing quite a dynamic repertoire of music. The recital precedes and flows into the Gala Reception which starts at 7:30 pm. The full list of performers and repertoire will be provided in the conference program due out next week.

Workshop Schedule Change

We needed to make a last-minute change on the conference schedule with one of our workshops. Workshop present Mark Grisez, who is leading the workshop Outside the Rehearsal: Practicing a Balanced & Joyful Musical Life, had a sudden conflict arise due to his schedule with the Columbus Symphony. However, Mark is available on Saturday morning, and we have scheduled his workshop alongside our other already-scheduled workshops. You can find the updated workshop schedule on the conference website linked below:

Conference Concert Band Tickets

Now On Sale!

Tickets are $25 plus CAPA fees and taxes.  We are performing at the Jo Ann Davidson Theatre in downtown Columbus where we will premiere our commission composed by Viet Cuong honoring Civil Rights activist Jim Obergefell, both of whom will be in attendance at the performance.

Dedications and Sponsorships

for Concert Band

Dedications of concert band pieces are also available. For $100, your dedication can be featured in the concert band program. Whether it’s a beloved partner, a cherished friend, or someone who lives on in your heart, this is your chance to honor them through the power of music.


Your sponsorship not only pays tribute to those who have touched our lives but also helps support the incredible work of the Columbus Pride Bands and the entire Pride Bands Alliance. Together, we’re spreading love, joy, and acceptance through music!


Make a dedication and sponsor a concert band piece by following the link below.

Participant Guide v2.0 and Conference Program Guide

Next week is the week before the conference. We’ll be sending out the reminders and FAQs you’ll need as you prepare for your travels to Columbus. Be on the lookout for Participant Guide v2.0 due out early next week. This version will be full of the same great info as the old one but now with specific info and recommendations on events happening in downtown Columbus and throughout our region during the week of the conference. We’re also finalizing our digital conference program we hope to share with you at the start of conference week.

Participant Guide V.1.0

Click on the Participant Guide to access V.1.0

See you in Columbus in two week!


-The Columbus Conference Team

Also, don’t forget to join our Facebook page to connect with fellow conference attendees! Be on the lookout for updates to our Instagram page as well!

This conference is hosted by the Columbus Pride Bands. Check out our upcoming events at our band’s website!

The Columbus Pride Bands is a proud member of the following organizations: