In April 1984, Denver musician Robert Brown had a vision: to create a space where people of all backgrounds could make music, educate the community, and build lasting friendships. From that dream, the Denver Gay and Lesbian Community Band was born. Soon after, the group rebranded as the Mile High Freedom Band (MHFB) – a name chosen with care: Mile High to honor Denver, Freedom which was used in the 1980s as a coded way to say “gay” without saying “gay”, and Band… for obvious reasons!

Our story began with a bang: our inaugural performance at the 1984 Denver Gay Rodeo, followed by ten appearances in that first season. In 1985, MHFB made a bold public debut in the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade, turning heads, earning media attention, and despite resistance from organizers, marching proudly in the years that followed.

Over the decades, MHFB weathered monumental challenges: the AIDS crisis, discriminatory legislation, and acts of hate targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Yet through it all, we stood firm, filling streets and concert halls with music, pride, and hope. We grew stronger, hosting national conferences, expanding our programs, and breaking new ground with every passing year.

The mid-2000s marked a new chapter. We launched MHFB Swing, introduced beloved annual traditions like Spooktacular! Spooktacular! and Melodies of Pride, and welcomed a wave of new members that fueled our growth. In 2018, we expanded again with MHFB Youth, opening our arms to students and awarding thousands in scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth pursuing their dreams.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged us like never before. But MHFB refused to go silent. We pivoted to virtual performances, creating an entirely online 37th season that reached audiences around the world, proving that even when apart, our community could still come together in song.

In 2022, we broke new ground again with the founding of MHFB Strings, adding a full string orchestra to our family of ensembles for the first time and expanding our musical possibilities.

Today, as we move beyond our 40th anniversary, MHFB is thriving like never before – with nearly 300 members, over 45 performances each season, and a growing impact on our community and beyond. We’ve commissioned over a dozen new works by historically underrepresented composers, launched our Composer-in-Residence initiative, and collaborated with numerous local organizations and schools to amplify our mission and inspire the next generation. Across the season, we offer free or low-cost programming to ensure our music remains accessible to all. Every concert, parade, and event is a testament to our enduring commitment to engage, excite, educate, and entertain through the power of music.

We are proud of our past, energized by our present, and inspired for the future. Together, we will keep making music that matters – one note, one connection, one celebration at a time.