The 2026 UNO Brass Day will take place November 4th, 2026 and is open to students in grades 9-12.
Faculty
- Prof. Jason Johnson, Trumpet & UNO Brass Area Coordinator
- Dr. Jesse McBee, Trumpet & UNO Jazz Faculty
- Prof. Katya Jarmulowicz, Horn
- Dr. Pete Madsen, Trombone & UNO Jazz Area Coordinator
- Prof. Alex Serwatowski, Euphonium & Tuba
- Prof. Christy Zuniga, Piano
Important Links (all events to take place on UNO's Dodge Campus—Strauss Performing Arts Center)
- CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR UNO BRASS DAY!
- View the Dodge Campus Parking Map: English | Spanish
Brass Day Attire
- Business casual. There will be a brief recital in the afternoon at which the students will perform in their small ensembles. There will not be time to change beforehand, so please make sure to wear appropriate "business casual" attire—neat, put-together clothing that's more polished than everyday wear but not as formal as a suit or gown (e.g., collared shirts or blouses paired with slacks, skirts, or dresses in solid or subtle patterns, and closed-toe dress shoes). Avoid jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and overly casual or formal attire.
Brass Day Recital
- The Brass Day Recital will take place in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Concert Hall at 4:00pm. The attire for the concert is "professional" and "nice" (e.g., slacks, nice shirt, dress/skirt, etc.). Please do not wear jeans.
Fees
- Early Bird Registration (on/before Oct. 23, 2026): $45
- Registration (on/after Oct. 24, 2026): $55
- Please contact Dr. Kearney if an invoice is reqired for payment: jskearney@unomaha.edu.
The 2026 UNO Brass Day is generously sponsored by Dietze Music.
Special Guest Artist
Jessica Butler, Trombone
Dr. Jessica Butler is currently an Assistant Professor of Low Brass and Music History at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She also serves as the Brass Area Coordinator at the School of Music.
Dr. Butler has performed and presented her research at the International Trombone Festival, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Midwest Trombone Euphonium Conference, and the Savannah Trombone Seminar. She has had the honor of routinely performing with the Southeast Trombone Symposium’s Professors Choir as well as the esteemed Cramer Trombone Choir and the International Trombone Festival. Dr. Butler serves on the International Trombone Association’s Advisory Council on Trombone Literature.
As a performer, Dr. Butler is an active freelancer and enjoys performing with the Paducah Symphony. In 2010, Dr. Butler won the grand prize in the S.E. Shires Solo Competition at the Southeast Trombone Symposium. Dr. Butler achieved her D.M.A. and M.A. degrees with Dr. David Gier at the University of Iowa and her B.M. with Dr. Bradley Palmer at Columbus State University.
Schedule
- SPAC = Strauss Performing Arts Center
- MBSC = Milo Bail Student Center
- CH = Concert Hall
- RH = Recital Hall
| Time | Location |
| 8:30-9:00am | Registration (SPAC Lobby) |
| 9:00-9:30am |
Welcome & Group Brass Warm-up (SPAC CH) |
| 9:45-10:30am |
Break Into Small Groups
|
| 10:45-11:30am |
Faculty showcase (SPAC CH) |
| 11:45am-12:30pm |
Participant Small Groups:
|
| 12:30-1:30pm |
Lunch (students may bring lunch or eat in the MSBC food court) Students are expected to remain on campus in either SPAC/MBSC during lunch. |
| 1:30-2:45pm |
Jessica Butler Recital & Masterclass (SPAC CH) |
| 3:00-3:45pm |
Participant Small Groups:
|
| 4:00pm |
Brass Day Recital (SPAC CH)
|
Brass at UNO
In the brass area, students have the opportunity to study with experienced teachers that maintain careers as active professional musicians.
UNO brass teachers have varied backgrounds including extensive experience in symphony orchestras, jazz, chamber music, and professional wind bands. In addition to private lessons, students participate in a weekly brass masterclass presented by UNO faculty or guest artists.