Meet Our Current Board Members and Officers!

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Nicole C

Meet our Current Board Members!

Board Members serve a two year term and are elected by the membership at the annual meeting the Friday night of our reunion weekend.

Julie Duensing, 2014-2016 term

Alto Sax, 1986-1990

Favorite memory: Run on for pre-game, freshmen year. In AWE!!!!!

Why I serve: Because I feel at home with the people in the band! They are my PEOPLE!

Fun tidbits: There are many stories I can’t tell in public, but ask Chris Schuttler about La Bougerie in New Orleans and jello wrestling (things that make you go hmm?)

Ranelle (Luthy) Maltas, 2013-2015 term

Flagline, 1987-1991

Favorite show: the Swing show my freshman year. We performed it at the Fiesta Bowl, too.

Favorite memory #1: Standing on the field at attention during band camp and realizing the people around me cared as much about marching band as I did. I found my “people.” They are still some of my best friends today. They “get” me. I also met and married my best friend, Bill Maltas (alto sax). We have two boys, Ian and Zane.

Favorite memory #2: Looking out into the stadium from the tunnel that first game. It was my first Husker game ever. It was awe-inspiring.

Why I serve: I serve on the Board because I believe we are continuing to build life-long memories and friendships for the current band and our alumni. I got so much from being a member of the band, I want to give back. I have made many new friends from being on the Board with different people and have gotten to know many other new alumni from different eras.

Chuck Teutsch, 2013-2015 term

Tenor Sax, Snare Drum, head Drum Major 1969-1973

Favorite Memories: Watching the 1970-71 National Championship seasons unfold right in front of our eyes! Traveling with the band to the 1971 “Game of the Century” in Norman, OK, as well as all of the other Big 8 stadiums!

Fun Fact: I lived in all-male Abel Hall (room 1304) for all four years, and seeing Johnny Rodgers coming down the hall to the showers with only a towel over his shoulder was quite a sight!

Why I serve: I was privileged to be one of “Jack’s Boys”, the 180 member all-male band led by the late Jack Snider. I hope future generations get as much out of band as I did, and the BAA strengthens the current CMB!

Erin Thomas, 2015-2016 term

Drumline, 2000-2004

My band story: I came to the CMB exhibition performances as a high school student and remember thinking, “I have to be in this band!” I was in the pit percussion for two years and played cymbals for three years. I was fortunate enough to get to play with my best friend in the pit, and later I met my future husband in the drumline. The CMB is one of the highlights of my college experience.

Favorite shows: My first show, “The Fiddler on the Roof” in 2000, will always be a great memory. It was amazing to perform such fun music in front of an excited stadium of fans. I’ll also always remember the first show we performed after September 11, 2001. The game was rescheduled for a Thursday night and we performed beautiful versions of “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless the USA.” The crowd was so quiet throughout our entire performance but they erupted into a standing ovation when we finished. It was incredible.

Why I serve: Marching band was so important to me while I was in college and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. I hope to help CMB alumni stay connected, relive memories, and form new memories by performing again with the current band.

Jodi Alva, 2013-2015 term

Piccolo, 1992-1995

I joined band for two reasons. One was, coming from a small town, I felt that I would get to know more people sooner that loved music as much as me. It was particularly challenging because I only had 35 students in my grades 7-12 band at my school. Because we were small, I had only play the flute and had never field marched. To come to the university that first day and memorize the music, play the piccolo for the first time, and learn to read charts for my first show was pretty overwhelming, but also incredible. The second reason is that my grandpa was a lifelong Husker fan and he thought it would be neat if he could watch me march on the field. By the time I made the band, he was not in good health, but made it up to his seats to watch me March my first pre-game and halftime show. That game was the last one he was able to attend.

Why I serve: I am currently a board member as well as maintaining the BAA music and materials. It is fun to get together as a group to provide activities for both the current and alumni bands. Go big red!

Meet our current Officers!

Officers are appointed by the elected board members to serve an unlimited term.

Collin McAcy, Membership Coordinator since winter 2014

Drumline (Front Ensemble), 2008-2011

Rank Leader 2010-2011

Favorite Show: 9/11 Tribute – Extremely moving arrangements of The Star-Spangled Banner, Amazing Grace, and Proud to be an American coupled with a truly epic timpani part to end the show easily make this my favorite CMB performance.

Favorite Memory: My first halftime performance was also my first Husker game ever. The sheer energy and intensity in the stadium – as well as being blown away by the folks in the stands actually listening to you, unlike my time in high school band – made for an absolutely unforgettable experience.

Why I serve on the board: I want to do everything I can to help future members find their experiences with the CMB just as fulfilling and uplifting as I found mine. After everything the CMB did for me, I wanted to make sure I could give back.

Nikki Csipkes, Executive Secretary/General Manager since summer 2014 (pictured on right)

Pit Percussion/Drumline, 2000-2004

Favorite show: It was Fiddler on the Roof in 2000 and I played xylophone beside my best friend. We had so much fun playing the music and adding visuals!

My favorite part of game day: march down because of the buzz of excitement in the air, and it was just a blast!

Why I serve: I have served in three positions on the BAA board- Recording Secretary, Vice President, and now General Manager. The CMB meant a lot to me in college and I want to ensure that the program continues to thrive so that new members of the CMB can have the best experience possible as well!

Molly Boyd, Recording Secretary since 2011

Alto Sax, 2002-2006

My band story: My dad and love of music are the reasons I joined the marching band. My dad played alto sax in the marching band and he would always return for Band Alumni Day. I remember going with him to one of those days my senior year in high school, seeing the band on the field, and thinking next year that is going to be me. I did not go to UNL my freshman year, but because they let in students from other colleges back then, I was able to attend Nebraska Wesleyan and audition (and join!) the CMB. I transferred to UNL the following year, and marching band had a lot to do with it. My favorite show was my first one when we played the music of Blood, Sweat, and Tears. I was not familiar with this band, but the music was memorable and fun to play. Marching band was my favorite class, and I met so many new friends because of it. Now dad and I come back every year for Band Alumni Day to play, march, and see old friends.

Why I serve: I currently serve as the recording secretary for the BAA. Having the chance to be a part of and serve something I care about so much helps satisfy my love of music and marching band camaraderie.

Jenny Johannes Hascall, Membership Coordinator since winter 2014

Trumpet in C-Rank & drum major, 2000-2004

Favorite show: “Fiddler on the Roof “ was my first field show, so it will always be my favorite.

Highlights: Participating in the Cornhusker Marching Band and being able to experience such things as the Rose Bowl Parade was one of the highlights of my college career. The band experience taught me leadership skills I carry today.

Why I serve: It feels good to be involved in the UNL Band Alumni Association. The organization is filled with great people, and I hope we can work together to benefit the current students of the band in multiple ways. I want their experience to be a great one!

Tom Kallman, Vice President since winter 2014

Trombone, 1981-1984

Favorite Show/Memory: The big band show when I got to dance the Jitterbug with the flag corps!

Elizabeth Chase, Historian

Piccolo 1988-1994

Favorite memory: Seeing my name on the roster the Sunday of cuts. Not believing I was making a long-time dream come true. Obviously the pre-game run on is highly memorable too (who doesn’t have that as their #1 memory of being part of the Marching Red?). Another favorite memory was the Fiesta Bowl parade in Phoenix ‘89-’90 and seeing my family along the route cheering us on. It was special to be able to share my band experience with close family members who live in Phoenix and who would not otherwise have the chance to see me march in Lincoln.

Why I serve: Because I want to give back to something that gave me so much.

Jeff DeLong, Webmaster

Years in Band: 1988 – 1992

Instrument in Band: 1988 – Horn & 1989-1992 – Drumline / Cymbals

Favorite Show and/or Memory of Being in the CMB: 1988’s Spanish Show – Malaguena, Spain, and Children of Sanchez. This was the show we took to the Orange Bowl. We had an impromptu battle of the bands with Miami while waiting to march in the parade. Our rendition and performance of Malaguena pushed them 10 feet back and our drumline dominated. Great feeling to have in your first year with the marching red. Every year following I never lost the feeling that I was part of something special.

Why I Serve the BAA: I was fortunate to have an incredible five years with the marching band. I continue to serve to give back to an organization filled with rich tradition and great memories. The Tradition Continues…

Steve Pearson, President since 2001

Alto Sax, 1987-1991

About Steve: He is the Event Services Manager for the Lied Center for Performing Arts, where he has worked since 2010. In his role with the BAA, he is in charge of securing venues for our Friday night dinner and post-game party, making catering arrangements for the dinner, arranging speakers for the dinner, and providing leadership on issues throughout the year as directed by the board. He played in the men’s basketball pep ban from the fall of 1989 to the spring of 1992. He was a member of both the Misty’s and Grandmother’s pep bands. Steve is married to fellow band alum Liz Whitney Pearson (Trombone 1987-1989) and they have a 9 year old daughter, Ava.

Consider a donation today!

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Nicole C

Please consider donating to the Jack R. Snider Band Alumni Association Fund! We hope to give scholarships to Cornhusker Marching Band members starting this fall. There are many amazing students in the band and the story below highlights one of those students. There is a DONATE NOW links to the right of the screen on the main page that will allow you to make an easy and secure donation to the fund. Thank you for your consideration!

My name is Brian Edwards and I am a clarinet player in the Cornhusker Marching Band and Big Red Express. Getting a scholarship to play music for one of the most well-known and respected organizations in the country would mean a lot to me. I started playing the clarinet in the 5^th grade. I chose the instrument because it looked cool and I had also missed the intro to each instrument the day or two before. I was planning on quitting after my 6^th grade year because I was no longer interested in playing. Luckily, my band director at the time said we could work out a deal so I could be in the classes I wanted to be in and still play music. I agreed to the deal and could not be happier. I went into high school as one of the strongest members of the band, having my music memorized before many of my peers did even though they had been in band longer than I had. I became a section leader my sophomore year and came back to do it my junior year. I was also involved in Wind Ensemble and absolutely loved it! My senior year I became drum major of my high school band while also taking part in wind ensemble. I wasn’t quite sure going into my freshman year of college if I still wanted to march or not. I auditioned and thought, “If I don’t make it it’s not a big deal. I just really want to get into pep band.” Immediately I made many great connections with the people around me in the clarinets who were auditioning. I ended up making the Cornhusker Marching Band and it was one of my proudest moments. There is something about getting to practice in Memorial Stadium every day that sends chills down your spine. As we all know, game days are special too. I cannot describe the true atmosphere and how special it is to play in front of 90,000+ people each home game. It is truly and honor and a privilege. To close, being able to receive a scholarship for something I truly love and care about would mean the world to me. I don’t get any scholarships from UNL and it would help me pay my way through college. I am also not getting any guidance from my parents and am having to pay for everything by myself. Thank you for your time and for listening to our stories!

Cornhusker Marching Band Exhibition, August 21

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Band Alumni Association

The 2015 exhibition of the Cornhusker Marching Band is Friday, August 21 at 7:00 PM in Memorial Stadium. Here’s a little teaser…

Honoring Jack R. Snider through Fund

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Nicole C

The Band Alumni Association Inc (BAA) would like to announce the re-naming of our general trust fund the Jack R. Snider Band Alumni Association Fund. Currently the funds in this account go towards the UNL Bands.

Services the BAA provides the band through this fund include: donations for the band banquet, TGIO event, nail bags for band camp, hosting the Highlights concert reception, drill writing software for the directors, and so much more! A small percentage goes towards our operating costs which includes our website and maintenance and Post Office Box fees. All of our board members and officers are volunteers.

New to the Jack R. Snider Fund will also include scholarships for marching band members. We have designated that 75% of those scholarships go towards non music-education majors and 25% to music education majors. We will consult with the directors of the band and will be able to grant scholarships to deserving individuals, as well as recruit for sections that need to be filled!

At any time throughout the year, you may donate to the Snider Fund or to the Lentz Fund, which provides funding to the School of Music to commission new works for the concert bands and to fund the appearance of guest artists with the UNL concert bands. In the next week there will be a “Give Now” button on the right hand side of our website in which you can make your donation!

You may also donate money to either fund as you register for the reunion weekend. Your membership fee ($25 individual or $40/couple) goes directly towards the Snider Fund and helps fund the band program and students. Your marching fee secures your spot on the field and you’ll be given a name tag and music.

If you have any questions about our funds, please contact us.

We hope to see you at the reunion weekend September 4-6: registration is now LIVE!
http://nebandalums.org/registration/

State of the Bands Report

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Band Alumni Association

by Dr. Carolyn Barber, director of Bands

Although I’ve been procrastinating just a bit in writing this article, I’m pleased to report that the state of the bands is strong. The reason for the delay is purely internal. We’ve been busy imagining, designing, and carefully laying the groundwork for an amazing initiative with the Cornhusker Marching Band. I think we can let you guys in on it even though it will take at least another season to complete. For several years, we’ve been dreaming up a plan to outfit the entire marching band with iPad Minis. Having worked through multiple scenarios, we’re confident that we’ll be able to use a broad spectrum of ready-made apps to enhance the ensemble’s work. Sheet music will be pushed out as arrangements are ready, students will be able to read their drill charts and see the designs animated on the screen, Smart Music will help with memorizing and accuracy, and of course basic tools like metronomes and tuners are readily available. The next phase of our thinking moved to more specialized apps and tools like iBeacon to expedite attendance, Coach’s Eye (or similar) to assist with precision in marching fundamentals, and a high camera live video stream to enable students to see themselves on the field during rehearsal from the perspective of the press box. Doug, Tony, and a wide variety of students completed a video shoot last month to create the raw materials for the CMB’s new eBook handbook. This will allow students to see marching fundamentals in real time, hear accurate renditions of the fight songs, review the intricacies of the uniform policy, learn how to maintain their instrument properly, and a host of other essential items.

Several obstacles are in our path at the moment. Nothing insurmountable, but significant enough to slow us down. For example, Westbrook doesn’t have enough wifi capacity to enable all 300 band members to log on at the same time in a rehearsal. We’re also trying to figure out if there might be some sort of super lyre that could hold an iPad Mini. It brings to mind that scene in Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man where Tommy is trying to invent a piccolo lyre that doesn’t cut off circulation in your arm. Then there are the logistics of software licenses, not to mention figuring out a way to check out 300 iPads to the students and train them how to use them. I also know what you’re thinking and we’re way ahead of you: they’ll have LifeProof cases that are water proof, shock proof, dirt proof, and snow proof. Making them 18-22 year old proof isn’t possible, but we have a team of experts including Brian Moore and the whole Hixson-Lied tech squad giving it their best shot. The hope is to have the whole system up and running by August 2016, pending funding. Wish us luck!

Thanks to our fantastic partners in the Athletic Department, we’re ahead of the game with regard to scheduling. The CMB is excited for you all to join us for the reunion game on September 5, and the band will be headed to Champaign-Urbana for the October 3 game. We also just got word that Tuba Day with the CMB will be September 12. A select group of high school tubists from around the state will have the opportunity to perform with the CMB for the South Alabama game – stay tuned for details. And speaking of fantastic, I had the chance to meet Coach Riley last month and he proclaimed himself to be the band’s “biggest fan.” He saw the CMB in action at out in San Diego last December and immediately developed a rapport with the students and staff. Having several hundred band alumni on hand on opening day will be a great way to strengthen the bond.

In other news, the Big Red Express had another strong season. If you missed it, we increased the roster to 120 members last fall in order to provide better and more flexible coverage for all the sports that BRE supports. Always a challenge are the games that fall during holiday breaks and the bowl trip, and the seemingly endless array of post-season basketball events. With four 30-piece bands now in the rotation, that burden is alleviated somewhat. The band has also been shaking things up a bit with events like Tubapalooza. Who knew the arena could withstand such sonic bombardment? Actually, the sound engineering team at PBA has done great work making sure the band’s work can be heard well throughout the space. If you haven’t experienced it, plan to get to a game next fall.

The Campus Bands have been on a steady upward trajectory for the last several years. You may recall the infamous live-Tweeting concert of 2014 (Dr. Richmond still owes us all bacon, by the way). 2015 brought an outstanding recruiting campaign that increased enrollment and instrumental diversity, all highlighted in a family friendly webcast concert last month. If you missed it, you can see the archived version on GKSOM’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/UNLSoMusic If you browse around, you’ll also see other fun features like Drumline videos and concerts by the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Thanks to a new hard-wired system of cameras in Kimball Hall, live webcasting is rapidly become routine for all of the School’s ensembles. Keep your eye on the GKSOM website for the schedule, and tune in.

Webcasting, Skype, and other electronic resources have been powerful tools in connecting the bands not only to friends and family, but to composers. The Symphonic Band’s March 12 concert webcast garnered positive commentary from Anthony O’Toole, and students acted in partnership online with Ben Hjertman as he composed the piece the SB premiered in April. The Wind Ensemble enjoyed correspondence with both James Syler and Gernot Wolfgang surrounding their April 25 webcast as well. The WE is currently involved in seven commissioning consortia which should come to fruition in the next academic year.

And speaking of next year, members of the Wind Ensemble will be joining me in Chicago in December to serve as a demo group for a session at the Midwest Clinic. Our session is called Ensembleship in Practice: Techniques to Evoke Creativity in Rehearsal and Performance. For those who are unfamiliar with Midwest, it is the single largest international conference of band and orchestra conductors, administrators, and pedagogues in the world. Annual attendance includes well over 15,000 musicians and educators representing all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries. In addition to clinics and concerts, all of the major associations of instrumental music educators hold meetings in conjunction with the conference. This will be the first time student musicians from UNL will be heard at this important event, and the perfect opportunity for us to highlight the ensemble games, creative and informative assessment strategies, and cutting edge rehearsal techniques we’ve been developing in the Band Department. To put it simply, folks want to know what we’re up to here in Lincoln.

Last but not least, our outreach activities have been growing and evolving steadily. The Winter Festival debuted a new schedule that included ensemble demonstrations by the faculty chamber ensembles, a special music education informational session, and a new interactive workshop format for the student chamber performances. You’ll be seeing a great promotional video for the festival popping up on UNL’s pages in the fall. For a preview, check out the UNL Media Hub at http://mediahub.unl.edu/media/4232 The summer camps are also morphing a bit with a new off-set schedule. The High School Marching Band Camp will start first and finish up just as the Middle School Band Camp is getting underway. This will give us more room to maneuver in Westbrook which, frankly, we need when wrangling 100 middle schoolers. Also new this year with the high school camp: our own Dave Hall will be joining the instructional staff. If you know any percussion students out there, this is something they won’t want to miss. After a year’s hiatus, Chris Werner will be back on the team for the middle school camp working on a special project involving Nolan Schmidt’s new piece Steampunk.

As you can see, the bands have been busy and there is no sign of slowing down. You can be proud of your alma mater, proud of the students who are following in your footsteps, and proud of the faculty and staff who are setting the foundations for the next chapter – a chapter we hope you’ll all be a part of. Your BAA board is working tirelessly on your behalf. Help them out by staying in touch and pitching in when you can. That team effort is why there is no place like Nebraska!