Marcia Berman
Distinguished Service Member
Inducted 2026
Inducted 2026
While many may not know Marcia Berman, her contributions to the Sun Prairie music program live on to this day. During the time when her children, Ryan and Allen, were involved in the band, Marcia was a dedicated, hardworking volunteer. As a passionate supporter of the band and her children, she was always there to help out.
Marcia grew up in Iowa, where she was an active member of her school’s band program, specializing in percussion. Marcia was also an accomplished varsity athlete in basketball, volleyball, and softball – even holding a HS record for “Kill Rate”—a volleyball record that remained unbroken until 1993. She remained active in sports throughout her life.
Marcia attended the University of Northern Iowa as a Marketing and Spanish major and continued to pursue her passion for band and percussion, studying privately for 4 years with UNI percussion Professor Dr. Randy Hogankamp. Marcia was also an enthusiastic proud member of the UNI Panthers marching band during these same 4 years.
In 2003, Marcia, her husband Dan, and two boys (Ryan and Allen) moved from Plymouth, MN to Sun Prairie. Ryan chose trumpet when he joined the band program, and later Allen started as a percussionist. Marcia tirelessly and joyfully volunteered for the next six years.
Here is a list of some of the projects to which Marcia contributed:
Because of her work, the Sun Prairie band program honored Marcia in 2011 as the Flags of Freedom parade marshal.
Sadly, in 2013 we lost Marcia to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a very rare brain disease.
Marcia’s passion and commitment inspired her family to establish the SOSP and Private Percussion Study Scholarships in her name as part of the Bernie Powers Foundation. The family’s hope is that lives continue to be enhanced by the power of the study of music and by participating in an amazing music community.
The Bernie Powers Band Foundation and our band community want to thank Marcia for her dedication and generosity, along with her positive spirit.
Marcia grew up in Iowa, where she was an active member of her school’s band program, specializing in percussion. Marcia was also an accomplished varsity athlete in basketball, volleyball, and softball – even holding a HS record for “Kill Rate”—a volleyball record that remained unbroken until 1993. She remained active in sports throughout her life.
Marcia attended the University of Northern Iowa as a Marketing and Spanish major and continued to pursue her passion for band and percussion, studying privately for 4 years with UNI percussion Professor Dr. Randy Hogankamp. Marcia was also an enthusiastic proud member of the UNI Panthers marching band during these same 4 years.
In 2003, Marcia, her husband Dan, and two boys (Ryan and Allen) moved from Plymouth, MN to Sun Prairie. Ryan chose trumpet when he joined the band program, and later Allen started as a percussionist. Marcia tirelessly and joyfully volunteered for the next six years.
Here is a list of some of the projects to which Marcia contributed:
- Sun Prairie Band Boosters secretary from 2007-2008.
- Developed and prepared many programs for band concerts as well as Flags of Freedom field shows.
- Assisted in the music library.
- Created sign up forms that the SOSP still use today.
- Actively fundraised for the Steinway project.
- Helped assemble the first SOSP memory book.
- Instrumental in helping the boosters create a Sound Cookbook.
- Served with Dan as part of the chuckwagon crew on several trips.
- Stepped in to assist the music program in 2010 when the district moved into the new high school and lost its department secretary. Marcia helped keep the program running smoothly.
Because of her work, the Sun Prairie band program honored Marcia in 2011 as the Flags of Freedom parade marshal.
Sadly, in 2013 we lost Marcia to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a very rare brain disease.
Marcia’s passion and commitment inspired her family to establish the SOSP and Private Percussion Study Scholarships in her name as part of the Bernie Powers Foundation. The family’s hope is that lives continue to be enhanced by the power of the study of music and by participating in an amazing music community.
The Bernie Powers Band Foundation and our band community want to thank Marcia for her dedication and generosity, along with her positive spirit.
