About Us
History
On July 15th 2002, the Sun Prairie Band Boosters created the Sun Prairie Band Foundation, a separate non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to ensuring the long-term success of band music education in the Sun Prairie Area School District. The Foundation aspires to encourage private donations and bequests that will be used for special programs and scholarship needs that go beyond the normal operating expenses of the Band Booster organization.
On June 30, 2004, on the occasion of Bernie Powers' retirement from teaching band at Sun Prairie High School, the Sun Prairie Band Foundation changed its name to the Bernie Powers Band Foundation in honor of Mr. Powers' distinguished 26-year career as an accomplished educator, dynamic band director, and inspiring mentor to hundreds of students in Sun Prairie. Bernie Powers consistently taught the values and behaviors of respect, hard work, self-discipline, leadership, acceptance and quest for personal excellence. Bernie Powers’ mission as a teacher will serve as inspiration and has become the mission of this foundation.
On June 30, 2004, on the occasion of Bernie Powers' retirement from teaching band at Sun Prairie High School, the Sun Prairie Band Foundation changed its name to the Bernie Powers Band Foundation in honor of Mr. Powers' distinguished 26-year career as an accomplished educator, dynamic band director, and inspiring mentor to hundreds of students in Sun Prairie. Bernie Powers consistently taught the values and behaviors of respect, hard work, self-discipline, leadership, acceptance and quest for personal excellence. Bernie Powers’ mission as a teacher will serve as inspiration and has become the mission of this foundation.
A Man and His Vision - Bernie Powers
Bernie Powers was born in South Bend, Ind. After a few moves, his family settled in Madison. He graduated from Madison East High School and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education from UW Platteville. His teaching career began with six months in Highland, Wis., followed by one year in Mineral Point, seven years at Platteville Middle School, three years at Janesville Parker High School, and in 1978, he started a 26-year commitment in Sun Prairie. Bernie retired from Sun Prairie High School in 2004.
He had a fulfilling career as an accomplished educator, dynamic band director, and inspiring mentor to hundreds of students. Bernie Powers consistently taught the values and behaviors of respect, hard work, self-discipline, leadership, acceptance and quest for personal excellence. Bernie established a solid philosophy that was built on positive support and encouragement. Those goals still hold strong as our current band staff continues to educate from these established ideals.
His focus was to create quality in every area of our band program, fostered by the belief that a strong concert program is the key to all other successes. In 1983, he transformed the existing marching band program, the Cardinal Guard, to the Sound of Sun Prairie. Much of what the Sound of Sun Prairie is today is thanks to the leadership and innovations of Mr. Powers. In 2002, Bernie pushed to start our Foundation program in order to support kids into future years.
Stemming from Bernie's vision, today the Foundation annually donates $1,500 per year to support the musical endeavors of Sun Prairie students, and awards over $3,000 annually in scholarships. These achievements are credited to donations to the Foundation from our alumni and supporters.
He had a fulfilling career as an accomplished educator, dynamic band director, and inspiring mentor to hundreds of students. Bernie Powers consistently taught the values and behaviors of respect, hard work, self-discipline, leadership, acceptance and quest for personal excellence. Bernie established a solid philosophy that was built on positive support and encouragement. Those goals still hold strong as our current band staff continues to educate from these established ideals.
His focus was to create quality in every area of our band program, fostered by the belief that a strong concert program is the key to all other successes. In 1983, he transformed the existing marching band program, the Cardinal Guard, to the Sound of Sun Prairie. Much of what the Sound of Sun Prairie is today is thanks to the leadership and innovations of Mr. Powers. In 2002, Bernie pushed to start our Foundation program in order to support kids into future years.
Stemming from Bernie's vision, today the Foundation annually donates $1,500 per year to support the musical endeavors of Sun Prairie students, and awards over $3,000 annually in scholarships. These achievements are credited to donations to the Foundation from our alumni and supporters.
Board of Directors 2025-2026
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Officers
Ken Paris, President [email protected] Andy Ruplinger, Vice President [email protected] Ann Sederquist, Secretary [email protected] Jennifer Eiden, Treasurer [email protected] |
Board Members
Gregg Auby Jason Duex Ben Eiden Jennifer Eiden Matt McVeigh (ex-officio) Joe Mesner (ex-officio) Ken Paris Bernie Powers Rich Rodes Andy Ruplinger Kelley Ruplinger Ann Sederquist Molly Shea |
