Category: Band Alumni Association

Alumni organizations from college bands across the nation have formed a National Association of Alumni Bands to share best practices and provide leadership and coordination for such programs.  Leaders from alumni band groups announced the formation of the NAOAB with a mission “to serve as the indispensable advocate and resource for alumni bands across the U.S.”  By serving as the flagship association of the highest caliber, the association’s goal is to develop and enhance peer connections to solve issues, develop strategies and provide a conduit for alumni band leaders to learn how to better serve their constituency and members.

Alumni of America’s leading college and university marching bands carry on their premiere collegiate experience in marching band through such alumni associations.  The groups not only engender financial support for the current band but also provide an outlet for ongoing performances by alumni musicians.

UNL Band Alumni Association, Inc. is proud to be a member of the new national organization.

“Our vision with NAoAB is to help the leaders in collegiate alumni band programs grow and better understand best practices from other organizations and to help those who want to start their alumni bands, from the ground-level” said Geof Sloan, President and chair of the organizing committee.  The organizing committee was formed at the Alumni Band Symposium hosted by the University of Washington Husky Alumni Band in May 2019.  During the past year the committee followed a rigorous process of writing the governing documents and bylaws that formally created NAoAB.

Positive Impact

Many alumni bands have already benefited from three national symposia, where 24 Charter Member organizations have shared their successes and experiences.

“The excitement generated from the symposium presentations and roundtables enabled representatives from every attending alumni band organization to return home with energizing ideas to make game-changing contributions to their alumni bands.”

Lee Butts, President Elect of NAoAB

“Thanks to the stories shared at the symposium, we had the most successful Homecoming event in our very young history.  We used many of the ideas that you all brought to the symposium and came away with a balance that I then believed we could turn around this year and use to support our student band, the #1 reason for the existence of our band alumni organizations!”

Sarah Eishen, San Diego State University Marching Aztecs Alumni Band

“This organization was there to advise me as I assumed the role of new President of the Clemson University Tiger Band Association. That advice helped me avoid possible missteps as we rapidly grew with our goals.”

Tom Waldrop, newly elected Vice President of NAoAB

“After attending the first symposium in 2015 in Seattle, I couldn’t wait to get back to my next Gator Band Alumni Association Board meeting to relay ideas and stories.  Now, I am in a position to share our successes with others.”

Robin Oegerle, newly elected Treasurer of NAoAB

Photos and Biographies of the NAoAB national officers:  www.AlumniBands.org/Leadership/

To see a complete list of the 24 Charter Members:  NAoAB Website–Charter Members

To learn more about the National Association of Alumni Bands: www.AlumniBands.org

The Epsilon Omega chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is proud to announce the creation of the Tyler Butterfield Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was made in memory of Tyler Butterfield, a brother, trumpet player, musician, and friend who passed away on October 26, 2018. Tyler was a beloved member of the KKΨ and UNL band family and is missed dearly. This scholarship is meant to honor band members at UNL who embody the same characteristics as Tyler, including demonstrating dedication, loyalty, supportiveness, and encouragement of others in their time at UNL. 

The first annual Tyler Butterfield Memorial Scholarship recipient will be named this spring. In order for this scholarship to continue for years to come, we are asking for donations to help honor future students and remember Tyler. You can give directly to this fund with 100% of the proceeds going towards future recipients of this scholarship. Please consider donating to this meaningful remembrance of our brother.

Thank you.

On Saturday, February 20, 2021, the Cornhusker Marching Band held their Band Awards Ceremony online instead of their usual banquet. During that time, the UNL Band Alumni Association was pleased to award the 2020 Russ Swanson Outstanding Band Member Awards to Jacob Coughlin and Sydney McGahan.

Sydney McGahan

Sydney McGahan, from North Platte, Nebraska, has been a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band for five years as a member of the trombone section and as drum major this past year. She graduated December 2020 with a major in Music Education and a minor in Leadership and Communications. Sydney’s older brother, Nathan, played sousaphone in the band. She is currently applying for teaching jobs, with the hopes of teaching K-5 General Music.

Why did you choose to attend UNL?
Both of my parents attended UNL, and I was pretty excited to do the same! I’ve wanted to be a member of the CMB since I was little. You can’t really do that while attending a different college!

What is the first impression you had of the UNL Band/Game?
My very first husker game, I was 8 or 9 I think, I was sitting in North Stadium with my mom. During pregame, there was a flyover (I couldn’t see it coming because we were in North Stadium) and it was so loud that I managed to drop my root beer, let go of my balloon, and cry at the same time. Once I was calmed down, my mom offered to get me another drink around halftime. I, rather forcefully, told her that I was there to watch the band and that we could get a new drink “while the football was happening.” 🙂

What is a memorable moment with the CMB you’d like to share?
I feel like I’m expected to say something along the lines of my first pregame, but I definitely blacked out for that and don’t remember it. I made it out okay on the other side, but the details are fuzzy 🙂 So instead: During the away trip to Wisconsin, a few band members and I went under the stands to buy some of the infamous cheese curds. There was a Wisconsin fan in front of us that INSISTED we needed to be treated to the best part of Wisconsin football and bought an order of curds for each of us. There’s also the Michigan State game that the only points were from field goals. After the game, it had started snowing, and a few of the trombones started making snow angels on the field. I have so many memories that are worthy of being shared, but that would take entirely too long. My favorite part of being a member of the CMB is all of the people I’ve met. I gained numerous lifelong friends, and I owe that to this ensemble. 

How may the scholarship help you?
Since I’ve already graduated, the money will be going toward supplies for my future classroom!

“I’m incredibly honored to be chosen for this award! I’ve done nothing short of pouring my heart into the CMB, and I wouldn’t change it for the world!”

Sydney McGahan

Jacob Coughlin

Jacob Coughlin, from Millard North HS in Omaha, Nebraska, has been a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band playing Baritone/Euphonium and also served as Drum Major. He is a 5th year Senior with a Business Management major with a minor in music (Euphonium emphasis). After graduation, Jacob plans to pursue the field of public service in the role of firefighter and/or paramedic.

If the name sounds familiar, Jacob’s older sister, Meghan, was in the CMB from 2013 to 2017. She marched clarinet, then a Drum Major for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Meghan and Jacob were Drum Majors together during the 2017 season (Jacob’s Sophomore year and her second Senior Year).

Why did you choose to attend UNL?
My decision to come to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was quite simple. At the time, I was interested in pursuing a music education degree and UNL was both finically responsible while still boasting an incredible music education program. While at UNL, my dreams and ambitions have changed, but the music and band programs here continue to be one of the primary reasons I love this University.

What is the first impression you had of the UNL Band/Game?
My first impression of the UNL band was while I was in high school and I attended one of the exhibition nights to watch my sister. I was blown away by the level of professionalism they were able to show while having so much fun. It was such a fun and engaging experience that ignited my interest in being in the ensemble.

What is a memorable moment with the CMB you’d like to share?
My most memorable times with UNL Bands would be when the Cornhusker Marching Band travels. During my time in the band, I have had the opportunity to go to Northwestern University (2016 season), the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN (2016 season), University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018 season), and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2019 season). CMB trips always bring fun stories, whether it’s going out at midnight to get pizza in the middle Springfield, Illinois or marching an entire halftime show at a Madison, WI high school in torrential downpour, CMB always makes the most out of every situation.

How may the scholarship help you?
I plan to use this scholarship towards a Life-membership in Kappa Kappa Psi once I graduate. While here at Nebraska, I have had the opportunity to serve the UNL band program alongside my brothers, and I hope to be able to continue that service as a life member of Kappa Kappa Psi for many years to come.

Save the date to Glow All In on Feb. 17-18 for Glow Big Red — 24 Hours of Husker Giving!

First, give. Make a gift of $5 or more to support students. Make a gift of $60 or more by Feb. 18 to Glow Big Red, and you’ll get a Nebraska scarf! You can support the UNL Band Alumni Association Snider Scholarships at https://glowbigred.unl.edu/organizations/unl-band-alumni-association.

Second, light it up! Light your room, home or business red to let your pride shine.

And third, share your Nebraska story using the hashtag #GlowBigRed.
Who you are?
Who you glow for (tag them)?
What area you will support on Glow Big Red 2021? (e.g. Nebraska Bands, UNL Band Alumni Association)

Help spread the word!

When you share the video found at glowbigred.unl.edu on social media using #GlowBigRed before noon Feb. 17, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a special Glow Big Red prize package (post must be made public to qualify).