Directors
Michael Prichard
Mr. Prichard, Wally, and Charlie
Michael Prichard is the band director for the Le Mars Community High School Band. Mr. Prichard graduated from Central DeWitt High School in 2001 and received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 2005, graduating Summa Cum Laude. His first teaching position was at Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City. After that, he returned to UNI and earned his Master of Arts Degree. During his time at graduate school, Mr. Prichard served as an athletic band graduate assistant and jazz band graduate assistant. Mr. Prichard also spent four years as the Head Director at Waterloo West High School. He is a proud member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, Jazz Educators of Iowa, and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.
Email: michael.prichard@lemarscsd.org
Mr. Prichard lives in Le Mars with his wife, Greta, and their two boys, Charlie and Walter.
Mrs. Prichard
Mary Kay Benton
7th and 8th Grade Band
Marching Band Percussion
Mary Kay Benton graduated from Sioux City East High in 1984. She received her undergraduate degree from Morningside College in 1987 and did her graduate work at the University of South Dakota with an emphasis on percussion performance and music education. Ms. Benton has taught adjunctly in the past at Dordt College and Morningside College, and played with the Sioux City Symphony. Currently she plays with Sioux City Municipal Band and the Le Mars Municipal Band. In addition to band activities, Ms. Benton is the church organist/choir accompanist/Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Sioux City. She has been there 33 years and counting.
Ms. Benton resides in Le Mars with her two children - Sarah and Luke, along with 2 cats and a dog. She enjoys hanging out with her kids, reading, baking and travelling as time permits.
Alison Scheevel
5th and 6th Grade Band
Marching Band Assistant
My name is Alison Scheevel (pronounced Skay-vel) and I am the new 5th & 6th Grade Band Teacher at Le Mars Public Schools. I grew up in southeastern Minnesota near Preston and Harmony and went to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. I received my Master's in Music Education from the American Band College and have been teaching all ages of band students for the past 10 years.
When I'm not playing instruments, I enjoy keeping active with sand volleyball, running, lifting, or basketball. I love learning new things (last summer I got my motorcycle license!) and traveling to new places. My favorites have been Switzerland, Japan, and Brazil (all because I was part of the band!) When I'm in a chill mood I like watching organizing shows, sitcoms, or dramas with my two cats.
Lexie Klingbeil
Color Guard Instructor
Trudy Timblin
Marching Band Assistant