Submitted by Adam DeRosa

It is my honor to nominate Chris Schlenker for the Pillars of Pride Award. Chris passed away unexpectedly in 2021, and I have waited to submit this nomination so that it might be awarded to him during the Something Wicked conference in Fort Lauderdale in October 2025.

Chris Schlenker served as the Assistant Artistic Director of South Florida Pride Bands for many years, stepping into the interim Artistic Director role in 2006, while we searched for a new Director. Chris was very comfortable serving in an artistic leader role because of his excellent musicianship and outstanding leadership. While professionally, Chris worked in various industries, he truly thrived as an alto saxophone and percussionist for South Florida Pride Bands and Pride Bands Alliance. In addition to serving as Assistant Artistic Director, Chris was also the South Florida Pride Bands Treasurer for many years. Chris was an active part of the Pride Bands Alliance, attending nearly every conference between the late 90s through the 2019 event in Orlando. He also attended the Gay Games in Australia as well as many regional/pride events for various bands within Pride Bands Alliance, from Phoenix to Rochester. Chris also served on the national board for several years, bringing a tremendous amount of organizational history to the boardroom. He even proposed to his husband during the 2011 Pride Bands Alliance conference in Seattle. But what I think most people will remember about Chris was his “bigger than life” personality and his infectious laugh. Chris introduced me to the national scene, and I was fortunate to attend many conferences and out-of-town events with him over the years. What fun we had.

I still grieve at the sudden loss of my best friend nearly 4 years ago. The South Florida Pride Band misses him terribly. Chris exemplified all aspects of the Pillars of Pride award, and we would really like the opportunity to honor him in Fort Lauderdale, in front of his husband and his entire band family. Thanks for your time and consideration.