> What is Jazz-a-Thon? <
Have you heard of a dance-a-thon or walk-a-thon? Jazz-a-Thon is a similar fundraising event where band members will practice for and perform at a special Jazz-a-Thon event! Supporters can make a donation or pledge based on the amount of time a band member spends practicing and performing. Anyone who donates is welcome to attend the Jazz-a-Thon performance on November 14, 2026!

> Donations Overview <
Donations to DC’s Different Drummers help to pay for:
- Musical Equipment
- Band Uniforms
- Rehearsal Space Rentals
- Sheet Music Licensing
- Travel Expenses
- ...and much more!

> About DC’s Different Drummers <
Founded in 1980, DC's Different Drummers is an LGBTQ+ music organization welcoming all musicians as it fosters pride, inclusivity, and community through performances across the greater Washington DC area. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ and allied adults perform throughout the year with DCDD's many ensembles, including a marching band, jazz band, symphonic band, color guard, and more! DCDD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is made possible by support from many dedicated members, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

The DCDD Jazz Band holds four free, public concerts each year. Our small jazz-combo group, “2nd Independence,” performs at public and private events across the DC metro area. With your support, we can continue to bring queer joy and music to all corners of our community.

> Donations: A Closer Look <
Here are just a few examples of how your donations can make a difference:

$500 – Music Arranged by Band Members
We are proud to offer our members the opportunity to flex their music composition skills! Members have enjoyed arranging custom charts for our big band, jazz combo (and marching band), letting us put our own twist on queer anthems and fan-favorites. Hitting this goal will allow us to provide members with licenses for Sibelius, an industry-standard music arranging software program.

$1000 – Eco-friendly Sheet Music
Using digital sheet music allows us to save paper and make our large repertoire of songs easily available at all performances. Hitting this goal would allow us to purchase 5 more tablets to use as sheet-music readers, further reducing our organization’s paper consumption.

$2500 – Storage Space
It may not be glamorous, but our organization has lots of large equipment and we’ve got to put it somewhere! Hitting this goal would cover the cost of storage at our rehearsal space for one season.

$5000 – Support the Broader Organization
As you may know, our Jazz Band is not the only ensemble in DC’s Different Drummers. We have a Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and a competitive Winter Guard. Hitting this goal would help contribute to the larger organization for things like rehearsal space rentals, uniform purchase, sheet music licensing, and reducing the cost of special events for our membership.

> Thank You! <
Everyone who donates is invited to attend the DCDD Jazz-a-Thon performance on November 14, 2026 from 10:00am-2:00pm (or drop in during the event).

We pride ourselves on being a source of queer joy in our community and providing free performances throughout the DC Metro area, and we can not do what we do without financial support. Please know that no donation is too small, and every dollar counts. Your ongoing backing and support are both truly appreciated.