We are deeply saddened by the loss of Becky Rucker Pritchard, who passed away January 6, 2022, due to complications from Covid-19, multiple sclerosis, and a minor stroke.
Becky joined MBI in July of 1986 for the DCM Championships in Dekalb, IL, and was a marching member through 1992. She played French horn and mellophone, was a mellophone soloist, was part of the legendary and infamous lady-mid Gabline, and served as drum major her last year with Ron Haselius and Lori Maxwell. She was the 1987 Hornline Rookie of the Year and served on the Board of Directors. She was an integral part of recruiting University of Minnesota Marching Band members to join MBI. She was a founding member of the Classic Brass Inc. quintet, which was made up of MBI members and alumni.
Becky completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and graduate work at Boston University. She spent several summers at Tanglewood located in Lenox, MA, first as a student, and then returning as a teacher and coach in the B.U.T.I. brass quintet seminar. Along with her husband, Joe, Becky established Pritchard Music-Kentlands in 2009. She was the Director of Music Education, overseeing 250 students while keeping an active teaching schedule herself. Becky coached several chamber ensembles, including the Powerhouse Brass, an award-winning brass quintet that performs at national festivals and competitions.
Becky was a strong advocate for funding music and arts in the schools. She and Joe worked with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation and members of Congress on the wording of the ESEA bill that was signed into law in December 2015. This bill makes music and arts a core requirement for all students to receive a well-rounded education. Becky served on the board of directors for the Gaithersburg Arts and Monuments Funding Corporation (GAMFC), The Patriot Brass, and was on the board of the Montgomery Philharmonic Orchestra.
Becky loved what she did. She loved teaching music and LOVED coaching the Pritchard Music ensembles. She leaves her husband Joe, her stepdaughter Olivia, and J.W. and d’Artagnan, the family dogs.
The family is hoping to host a celebration of life this summer in Maryland when they can safely gather as many of her students, friends, and family to honor a true lover of music. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety.com), The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (mhopus.org), and/or The ziMS Foundation (zimsfoundation.org).
For All We Know.
