Member Awards

As part of our commitment to honor the legacy of those who have shaped our community, the Rose City Pride Bands has established several memorial awards.

In June 2011, during our 20th anniversary season, we inaugurated two awards in memory of former members who made a lasting impact on the organization. In May 2025, as we celebrated our 35th anniversary season, a third award was introduced to recognize and honor another valued former member.

Rich Briglia joined the Rose City Gay Freedom Band (now known as the Rose City Wind Symphony) in 1999. The following year he was conducting Rose City Swing, and at times served as assistant conductor of the wind symphony. A lifelong musician and well-loved music teacher, he played with the wind symphony until his sudden death in August 2009.

We honor the memory of Rich with the “Rich Briglia Memorial Super Bandperson Award” to appreciate a current member who has exhibited these same leadership qualities and involvement with the Rose City Pride Bands.

Rich Briglia Memorial Super Bandperson Award Recipients:

2011 – Sean Kelleher
2016 – Craig Bunch
2023 – Gretchen Scholl
2025 – Evan Howington
2025 – Remi Newhouse

Cecily Bartlett was one of the early members of the Portland Lesbian and Gay Community Band and continued to play with the band when it became the Rose City Gay Freedom Band. Cecily was present at the Stonewall Bar the night the riots broke out in June of 1969. Cecily passed away in 2006.

We honor the memory of Cecily with the “Cecily Bartlett Stonewall Memorial Award” to appreciate a member who has demonstrated active and sustained involvement in the LGBTQ+ community and musicianship and leadership qualities within the Rose City Pride Bands.

Cecily Bartlett Stonewall Memorial Award Recipients:

2011 – Brenda Dworschak
2016 – Kim Heron
2023 – Denny Richard
2025 – Gretchen Mollers

Celeste Warren was a founding member of our organization, holding many positions on the board including Treasurer. Celeste played in all of our groups and shined in Rose City Swing. Celeste passed away in 2014. 

We honor the memory of Celeste with the “Celeste Warren Community Memorial Award” to appreciate a member who has shown outstanding community partnership and advocacy for diversity and equality within the Rose City Pride Bands and the LGBTQ+ communities of Portland.

Celeste Warren Community Memorial Award Recipients:

2025 – Dr. Joseph Accuardi-Gilliam