Mission of the Mile High Freedom Bands

The Mile High Freedom Bands are committed to making positive contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and allies through musical events and activities that engage, excite, educate, and entertain audiences while supporting performers of all abilities.

The MHFB Story

In April of 1984, local Denver musician Robert Brown brought a small group of musicians together to form the Denver Gay and Lesbian Community Band. Bob’s goal was to provide a forum for people of all backgrounds to create music together, educate the community, and meet new friends. Shortly after getting started, the name was changed to the Mile High Freedom Band.

MHFB’s inaugural performance was at the 1984 Denver Gay Rodeo. We went on to present ten performances in that first season. Our major public debut was in the 1985 Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Although the band made no explicit attempt to hide the sexuality of our members, it came as a bit of a surprise to parade organizers that there was a ‘gay band’ in the parade and garnered a fair amount of media attention. In subsequent years, the organizers attempted to dissuade us from performing through various means including placing us as far back as they could!

From challenges of acceptance, living through the early days of the AIDS crisis, discriminatory statewide legislation, and hate crimes on LGBTQ+ people across the region and the country, our organization and our members have persevered. Through each new challenge, we have never lost sight of our original vision and purpose and we have continued to perform regular concerts, parades, and pep events, and twice hosted the Lesbian and Gay Band Association’s annual conference. 

As the Mile High Freedom Bands continues on from our 40th anniversary season, the organization is as strong as it has ever been. With nearly 250 members on our rosters, over 45 performance events each season, thousands and thousands of audience members at our events, and the expanding of our newest programs like MHFB Youth and MHFB Strings, we are thriving. Day in and day out, we are always focused on living up to our mission to make positive contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and allies through musical events and activities that engage, excite, educate, and entertain audiences while supporting performers of all abilities.

Join MHFB

The Mile High Freedom Bands brings the community together through music. In our ensembles, we welcome all musicians and all levels of musical ability. Our membership represents a wide range of backgrounds from those with music degrees to those who are returning to playing for the first time in many years. Wherever you are in your musical journey, MHFB has a place for you.

For information on becoming a member, please visit mhfb.org/join , send us an email to membership@mhfb.org, or call us at 720.515.MHFB.