DALLAS — If you're looking for a sign to learn or re-learn a musical instrument, this is it! There's a band in Dallas that'd be happy to have you, no matter your music experience (or lack thereof).
The Oak Lawn Band has been serving and performing for the local LGBTQ+ community since 1980. You might've seen them playing in a Dallas pride parade over the years or events like the Cedar Springs Wine Walk.
For assistant director Nick Nunley (he/him) who led the band during this year's wine walk, the organization has been a blend of old and new for him since he joined in 2019.
"I wanted a community band to join just to get back into playing my instrument full-time as an out-of-college music major," he said. "I have found the majority of my friends in Dallas in this community band. I really love everyone here."
Nunley enjoys participating in the pride parades and pep band performances among other events. In addition to the community he's built, as a band director for a local middle school, it's been a great opportunity for him to play into his natural leadership skills.
Another plus to being in the band: "Getting people to experience all of the different types of ways you can play your instrument after college or after high school," said Nunley. "It's just what drives me on a daily basis."
While the Oak Lawn Band does serve the Dallas LGBT+ community, the group emphasizes that anyone can play with them. To them, it doesn't matter who you love as long as you're sharing your love of music.
"No one cares about your orientation," Nunley said. "Band is band. You are making music with people who also like to make music."
The group rehearses every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at L.G. Pinkston High School. No matter where you are in your music experience or what instrument you've played or want to play, you're more than welcome to join.
Nunley says that whenever you decide to join, you could play in their next performance – even if it's days away.
"We accept everyone of all skill levels, no matter if you played in middle school and stopped in high school and stopped in college, we take everyone," he said. "Just come in, we'll hand you music, and you just join us right then and there."
Their next performance will be their "Variations on a Holiday" concert on Saturday, Dec. 17 at L.G. Pinkston. The show starts at 4 p.m., and you can attend either in person or through the live stream on their YouTube channel.
Note: The following video was uploaded in June 2021
