Submitted by Kathy Morris

I would like to nominate Gwen-Marie Lerch for a Pillars of Pride award. As her wife and fellow band member for many years, I am admittedly biased. However, this role gives me a unique perspective into Gwen’s passion for music and her long and dedicated service to LGBA and Pride Bands Alliance and to LGBTQ++ bands. Gwen-Marie exemplifies the core qualities of Pillars of Pride: 

DEDICATION: Gwen-Marie’s passion for community music and LGBTQ++ bands is evident in her service and dedication at all levels over many years. She has been a stalwart contributor to local bands and Pride Bands Alliance (including when it was LGBA) for over 25 years. She was a founding member of Band Together in St Louis, MO, which just celebrated its 27th anniversary, and she served as President of that band on several occasions. Gwen-Marie co-chaired two LGBA annual conferences with Band Together: “Meet Me in St Louis” in 2001, just days after 9-11, and “Silver in St Louis” the LBGA 25th Anniversary, in 2007. Gwen founded and continues to lead Encantada, the Band of Enchantment as its Artistic Director. Gwen served as LGBA Conference Percussion Section leader on several occasions and has conducted at LGBA and Pride Bands Alliance conferences. She served on the LGBA board for 8 (or maybe 10) years, as treasurer and board member at large. Among other contributions, during her time as board member, Gwen was a strong advocate for LGBA to provide more support and guidance to small and young bands. She was a member of the Pride Bands Alliance Oral history committee, which created a video for the 2022 “Sweet Home Chicago” conference. 

Outside of her Pride Bands/Community band work, Gwen is a committed music educator, serving on local, regional and national music educator boards. In her work at New Mexico School for the Arts, Gwen was the faculty co-advisor for the schools Q (Queer) Straight Alliance (QSA). She has been President of Guitar New Mexico, an organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of guitar. 

MUSICIANSHIP: Gwen-Marie has been a guitarist since the tender age of 4 and guitar is still her primary instrument. In terms of band instruments, Gwen plays percussion and saxophone and has played these instruments in Band Together and at LGBA/PBA bands events. Gwen takes pride in playing well herself and has an amazing ear (how can you tell that that instrument is 5 cents sharp?). There are no auditions for Encantada, and all who can read music are welcome. As a conductor, Gwen brings out the best in an ensemble made up of people of varying abilities and experience. She has encouraged Encantada members to expand their musical horizons and supports them as they learn to play new instruments. 

FELLOWSHIP: Gwen’s regular attendance at Pride Bands Conference over many, many years speaks to her commitment to fellowship amongst LGBTQ++ musicians. As Encantada’s artistic director, she has invited musicians from Denver’s Mile High Freedom Band and Phoenix’ Desert Overture to play at Encantada events, and she has performed as guest artist and conductor at MHFB concerts. Gwen worked with the artistic directors from the Denver, Phoenix, Palm Springs and Los Angeles bands to organize an LGBA Regional conference, held in 2018(ish). She was a guest conductor for Band Together’s 20th anniversary concert. And when the world shut down for COVID, Gwen pushed Encantada to create a virtual band video and participate in the “Loud and Proud” virtual concert hosted by the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band. 

INNOVATION: When she moved from St Louis to Albuquerque, Gwen’s LGBA and BandTogether friends all asked if there was an LGBA band in Albuquerque. When she said no, they replied, “Well, you’ll just have to start one.” Having just moved to New Mexico, Gwen had to be creative in getting Encantada off the ground. She did not have extensive contacts in the local community. However, she was a music student at the University, so she rounded up some fellow students and faculty, LGBTQ++ and allied, a member of the local women’s chorus who played clarinet, her wife’s co-worker who played trombone, and some supportive friends from Mile High Freedom Band and Desert Overture to play and march in the 2010 Albuquerque Pride Parade. And with that, Encantada was born. As they say, “If you build it, they will come,” and Encantada has grown steadily over the years. 

In summary, Gwen-Marie Lerch has contributed consistently and in many ways to Pride Bands Alliance/LGBA as an organization, and to Pride Bands Alliance member bands over many years. She is truly a Pillar of Pride and clearly deserving of this award.