Submitted by Dr. Lee Hartman and the Mid America Freedom Band Board of Directors

I am writing in full support of the posthumous awarding of the Pride Bands Alliance’s Pillar of Pride Award to our forever Mid America Freedom Bandmate Matthew Novotny. 

I first met Matthew in 2010 or 2011 after he invited me out for a drink after I had reviewed one of MAFB’s concerts for KCMetropolis.org, Kansas City’s online journal of the performing arts. As was typical with my reviews for community ensembles at the time they were critical but also encouraging. In my review I said something to the effect of “too bottom heavy at points” that of course got a chuckle out of everyone at the double entendre. Matthew’s invite started with a thank you as it was the first press MAFB had received. He then launched into, in typical Matthew mile-a-minute speak, about what the band was, their history, their plans, and then looking me dead in the eye asked, “how do we get better?”

That’s how it was with Matthew. “How do we get better?” How do we get better? The answer writes itself. We can follow Matthew’s selfless example. We can follow Matthew’s fierce loyalty. We can follow Matthew’s drive and passion. We can follow his welcoming spirit of knowing no strangers. We can follow his commitment to MAFB, Pride Bands Alliance, and the Leather community. We can follow his desire to always get better, as people and musicians.

When Matthew made the decision to move back to Minnesota to be closer to his family, we knew we would be a losing a part of what made MAFB so special. Here was a man who served on the Board, as Executive Director, as a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, as Treasurer for the 2018 LGBA Conference in Kansas City, and so much more. In short, he was vital to the rousing successes and accolades that MAFB now enjoys. During the last rehearsal before he moved, we bestowed Matthew with the organization’s first named award: The Matthew Novotny Service Award. It seemed only fair to give a little back to our friend who gave so much.

When Matthew passed and we attended his service, tears were flowing from all corners. And then I saw the award on one of the tables. He had gotten rid of a lot of his personal items but he kept that. Seeing that brought even more tears but also pride in my friend. I’m proud of the work he did, the legacy he left, and the connections he made with people far and wide. I remember his pride when after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was reversed, he was finally able to stand and be recognized during the US Air Force’s song in Armed Forces Salute. I remember his pride at being able to show off Kansas City to the LGBA members in attendance. I remember his pride after ArtsKC awarded MAFB its first grant. I remember him and I miss him every day. We remember him and we miss him every day. Pride Bands Alliance will do well by remembering him and recognizing him as a Pillar of Pride.

Pride in Every Note.

In music, love, and friendship.