About Us
The Sun Prairie Area Community Band
The Sun Prairie Area Community Band is a volunteer organization providing free performances in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and communities in the area.
The history of the band in Sun Prairie dates all the way back to 1876, as the "Sun Prairie Cornet Band." The band has evolved and existed in many forms through the years to present day.
The Sun Prairie Area Community Band performs in Sun Prairie and other Madison-Area communities. In the spring and fall we play indoor concerts in the auditorium featuring traditional and contemporary band music. We end every year in December with our Holiday Concert, playing our favorite tunes of the holiday season.
Join us at our upcoming concerts, all of which are free and open to the public. If you enjoy our performances and wish to support the band, we graciously accept donations to fund the purchase of new music and equipment needed to entertain you for years to come. If you are interested in having us perform for your organization or community, please contact us at spacband@gmail.com.
The Board of Directors
The SPACB is led by members of the band who have a strong desire to promote the mission of the SPACB and ensure its stability and growth.
2024 Board of Directors:
Jim Enright, President
Kristie Ely, Vice President
Rachel Hanson, Secretary
Michelle Guadarrama, Treasurer
Tom Dees, Member
Katie Stoltz, Member
Carl Williamson, Member
Kris Mix, Member
Bridget Nawrot, Member
Conductors
Douglas Terhune
Director
Director
Doug grew up in Hopewell, NJ and attended Princeton High School.
He came to WI and attended Carroll College where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education.
In 1978 he received a Masters of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music.
He taught for 34 years in the Monona Grove school District.
In his spare time he is a freelance musician and has performed with the Jimmy Hartwig Orchestra, Dick Jurgens Orchestra, Jan Garber Orchestra, and Guy Lombardo Orchestra in addition to small combo work.
He has played with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the Beloit/Janesville Symphony Orchestra.
Doug served as a clinician for the Ladies Must Swing Jazz Band.
He is co-director of the Red Hot TradJazz Band.
In retirement he became a Wisconsin School Music Association Clinician.
He currently performs with the Capital City Band and the VFW Bands in Madison.
Doug has a private lesson studio teaching sax and clarinet students ranging from middle school to adults.
His leisure time is spent with his grandchildren and playing tennis with his wife, Karen.
Kristie Ely
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Kristie Ely has been a member of the band since '07, was interim director in the summer of '17, has conducted the group on several occasions and is the Associate Conductor.
Kristie has 37 years of experience teaching band, orchestra and general music in Wisconsin schools, including HS Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, Solo & Ensemble, Concerts and Festivals.
She has taught piano, woodwinds, brass & strings in levels beginner through college audition prep.
Kristie is a Master Adjudicator for WMSA music festivals and has taught numerous soloists and ensembles at the Class A and State Level.
In addition, she has been a guest conductor at UW Madison and UW Platteville with original compositions.
