Artistic Director, Marching Band.
 | Marita Begley, the artistic director of the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band, was born in love with all things band. From her first parade at the 1972 Miss America Pageant as a clarinetist in the Holy Spirit High School marching band on to serving as squad leader in Syracuse University’s Pride of the Orange Marching Band from 1976-1980. Marita joined the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps in 1982 and has served the band well both as drum major AND artistic director for several years.
In addition to her time with the “Apples” Marita has also been honored to serve as artistic director for the international Lesbian & Gay Band Association (LGBA) massed band in the Village Halloween Parade (2008); |
| to conduct the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band at the invitation of her beloved fellow artistic director, Brian Worsdale (2006, 2007); and to serve as drum major for the LGBA massed band in the Presidential Inaugural Parade for Barack Obama (2009) in addition to several Gay Games ceremonies. In September, she served as drum major for the LGBA massed band during the New Orleans Southern Decadence Parade. As the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps’ celebrates their 30th Anniversary marching season in 2009, the theme is entitled “Rewind: 2009-1979”. The Apples will perform at least a dozen times along the East Coast at Pride festivals in New Hope, Washington, Providence, Harrisburg, and (of course) Manhattan. For three decades, the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps has been playing its way into the hearts of millions, hauling home trophies for the mantel piece—but most important of all, helping to open closed minds. Marita lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with her beloved wife Ana Del Campo and their too many cats. She dedicates every performance to the memory of her beloved parents and godmother, as well and her dear friend and former fellow drum major Duane Allen. And she is forever indebted to her amazing fellow band members, whose talents make it possible for her to look like she actually knows what she’s doing, and to the Marching Band Goddess, who makes the magic possible. | |
332 Bleecker Street #K48, New York, NY 10014