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

DR. THOMAS G. REED is a native of Decatur, IL.  He began his organ studies in the studio of Dr. Huw Lewis at Hope College in Holland, MI and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree there.  After a few years as a freelance musician in St. Louis, Thomas moved to Kansas City, MO to study with Dr. John Ditto at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned both Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees under full scholarship.  Thomas came to Waterloo, IA in August 2007 to assume duties as Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church.  Thomas is also Dean of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Principal Director of the Proud Image Barbershop Chorus, and was the chorus-master for the 2009 Holiday Pops concert with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra this December.