Founded in 1979, the Proud Image has already established a rich history. The Chorus has claimed 8 district championships and has represented the Central States District on the International Contest Stage 3 times in their 25 year history. 

The chorus had its first taste of success in the Spring of 1980  when it won the District Preliminary Contest. The chorus would continue to improve over the next few years and in 1983, finished runner-up in the Central States District Chorus Contest. With the International Contest of 1984 being held in St. Louis, the chorus won the right to be the Mic Testing Chorus for that International Contest.

It wouldn't be long before the chorus would be a Competitor in the International Contest. The Proud Image won the 1985 Central States District Chorus Contest and qualified to compete at the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Chorus Contest in Salt Lake City in the summer of 1986. When it was all said and done The Proud Image was the #12 Chorus in the world. After taking a year away from competition the chorus again won the Central States District Championship in 1987, and headed to San Antonio for another crack at the International Contest in the summer of 1988, finishing 13th.
 

The Spring of 2000 marked the return to prominence of the Proud Image Chorus. The chorus was crowned Central States District Plateau A Chorus Champions in Lincoln, Nebraska, outscoring the best small choruses in our five state district (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota). The Proud Image would again win this honor in Columbia, Missouri in 2002, Overland Park/Olathe, Kansas in 2004, and in Iowa City in 2006.
 

The Spring Contest in 2007 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota would be an historic one for the Proud Image. By claiming an 8th district championship and winning its 6th Plateau A Championship, The Proud Image moved into a tie for 3rd place in total championships in the the 60 year history of the district. This feat is even more remarkable when you consider that the Proud Image has only been around for half as long as the chapters that it is tied with or behind.
 

The Proud Image is striving to once again become one of the best choruses in the world, with the dream of returning to the International Contest. Along with that goal, The Proud Image is working to provide memorable performances to the great people of the Cedar Valley. 
    
Interested in helping the Proud Image fulfill our dreams? Join us for a rehearsal!
 
Meet Our Director
 

 Lee Thomsen, Musical Director

Lee Thomsen's love for the barbershop style began in 1998 while he was still in high school. He became a member of the Proud Image in 2001, while attending the University of Northern Iowa. In January 2003, he was named Director of the Proud Image.

The men of The Proud Image recognized Lee's dedication and contribution in his first year as Director and honored him as the chapter's "Barbershopper of the Year" for 2003. In April of 2004, Thomsen helped lead the chorus to the Central States District Plateau A Chorus Championship, an accolade the group duplicated in 2006, as well as 2007. Serving as Director for the chorus has been one of Lee's greatest experiences and is something he plans to continue long into the future.

When Lee is not directing the Proud Image, he teaches 1-3 General Music at Starry Elementary in the Marion Independent School District. He is married to the wonderful and extremely supportive Kari (his high school sweetheart) and they have a son, Ethan. Lee is hopeful, of course, that he will become a barbershopper. 

Lee’s other musical activities include giving voice lessons and playing drums for his church. He has also assisted with the Prairie High School Marching Band drumline in Cedar Rapids and has served as a section leader for the Prairie All-State Clinic. Finally, Lee has sung baritone in two different top 10 Central States District quartets: Take Charge and Night & Day.
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