The 2022 Russ Swanson Outstanding Band Member Award was announced February 10, 2023 at the Band Banquet, held at Memorial Stadium. The band department chooses one recipient, and our Band Alumni Association awards this person a plaque and cash award. This year’s commemorative award was made by band alumnus Nathan Nelson of Rooted Woodworking. Julie Duensing and Ranelle Maltas represented the BAA and were able to speak with the current band members about the BAA and what we do. Congratulations to all CMB members for a great season!
Katherine Schmit is a senior music education major with an emphasis in trumpet at UNL. During her time at UNL, she has been a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Jazz Orchestra. As a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Katherine served as a trumpet rank leader and drum major. She is a member of the Epsilon Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, and served two years as Vice President for Membership.
Katherine is a co-founder of Quintessential Brass, a student-led brass quintet which has been playing together for the past four years. She is also a member of UNL’s Teacher Scholars Academy. Katherine was recently named Outstanding Undergraduate Artist/Scholar for the Glenn Korff School of Music and will receive the Student Leadership Award for the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts in May.
Outside of school, Katherine loves teaching trumpet lessons and hopes to grow her studio in the future. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in trumpet performance and continue her career as a performer and teacher.
