Our Initiatives
Endowment
Thanks to the past and future generous contributions of our supporters, the foundation is building an endowment that will grow and support both the present and the future of the Bernie Powers Band Foundation. Currently these funds help to make a difference through the following initiatives. We encourage you to make a donation by clicking here. Your giving will support these activities and directly affect our band students.
Music Scholarships - BPBF awarded $7,900 in scholarships in 2024-2025
Click each scholarship below to learn more.
- Marcia Berman Percussion Scholarship (fall and winter)
- BPBF H.E.A.R Scholarship (fall and winter)
- Ken Paris Music Scholarship
- Jeff Bogosh Summer Jazz Camp Scholarship
- Jock Bogle Music Education Scholarship
- Marcia Berman SOSP Scholarship
Band Starts Now 2.0 - Assisting approximately 300 beginning band students each fall
Band Starts Now 2.0 brings additional teaching and tutoring support to beginning 6th grade band students, particularly students unable to access summer school beginning band classes. This program helps new students find success taking their first steps of their band journey.
Districtwide Mentor Program
Mentor scholarships are awarded to older students in the band program for use towards private lessons, summer music camps, and other special music opportunities. Those older students are then matched with younger students to mentor. The learning of the older students is then shared throughout the band program, supporting multiple students through the scholarship process.
Guest Artists Projects - In 2024-25 this project impacted over 250 students
Guest musical artists visit Sun Prairie to collaborate with students in workshops, master classes, and collaborative performances. Bringing practical and real world music making, creativity, and inspiration to Sun Prairie students.
- Click to watch the video with Will Healy & Shouthouse
- Click to watch the video with Kim Archer & Carolyn Barber
Large Vehicle Fund - Impacts every student in our band program
Anyone who has enjoyed a chuckwagon meal, been on the truck crew, or moved pianos for solo/ensemble know the importance of the fifth wheel trailer and semi truck in use by the band boosters. This fund helps with matching and aiding fundraising projects to replace elements of these vehicles when they have reached the end of service.
Opportunity Fund
This fund stands at the ready when any sudden and unique opportunity arises that would have a positive impact for students without sufficient time for fundraising.
Music Advocacy
In order to foster greater support for music education in the broader community, the Music Advocacy program will create a network of advocates to promote, support, educate, and inform the public on the value of music education. This network will engage supporters to tell their stories of the positive impact the Sun Prairie Band Program has had on their life, and organize advocates to get involved when music programs are questioned or endangered.
The Steinway Project
Thanks to the community's Steinway Project Fundraising Campaign, the Sun Prairie High School's Performing Arts Center is the proud home to a brand new Steinway Concert Grand Model D Piano. This 9-foot piano was hand-selected by our musical faculty and has earned the praises of world renowned artists, as well as everyone that has had a chance to play it. When it is not being used, it is stored in its own climate controlled garage. A $20,000.00 maintenance endowment was included in the fund raising to help keep the piano in excellent repair for its lifetime. The funds are managed by the Bernie Powers Band Foundation.
