Marita Begley

The artistic director of the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band, Marita Begley was born in love with all things band

In her first parade, the 1972 Miss America Pageant on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, she was a clarinetist in the Holy Spirit High School marching band--the last contingent before the street-sweepers. From such auspicious beginnings, she went on to serve as squad leader in Syracuse University's Pride of the Orange Marching Band (1976-1980) and joined the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps in 1982, auditioning for drum major in 1986 and leading the band until 1995. Marita became the marching director in 1990 and served for three seasons. She reprised her role as drum major in 2001 and, in 2003, again accepted the baton as artistic director.

During the 2007 season--themed "Off the Charts: The Summer of Rock"--the marching band made almost 15 appearances from New Hope to Providence and from Washington, DC, to Syracuse, marching in gay pride parades, hometown Fourth of July celebrations, and even at the New York State Fair. The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps always rocked the house, playing its way into the hearts of millions--and hauling home a couple more trophies for the mantel piece in the process.

In Marita's years with the Big Apple Corps, she has been honored to serve as drum major for the Lesbian & Gay Band Association (LGBA) massed band at the 1993 March on Washington, the Closing Ceremonies for Gay Games IV (1994), and the Opening Ceremonies for Gay Games VII in Chicago (2006). Next fall, she will serve as artistic director for the LGBA marching band in its first-ever New York City appearance, when she will direct a 200-plus-member band in the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

Marita dedicates every performance to her beloved mother, the late Martha Begley; her dear friend and former fellow drum major Duane Allen, who died of AIDS in 1992; her incredible fellow band members, whose talents make her look really good; and the Marching Band Goddess, who makes the magic possible.