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The Maverick Marching Band

About the Maverick Marching Band

The Maverick Marching Band regularly entertains audiences across campus and travels extensively throughout the region performing in exhibition to thousands of high school students, parents, community members and the like. Members of the MMB have performed at the Holland Center for the Performing Arts, major community events, parades (including for a Presidential Inauguration), and the Midtown Crossing outdoor performance space in downtown Omaha as part of the End-of-Summer Concert Series sponsored by UNO. Interested in joining?

The MMB is mostly non-auditioned and includes: Piccolos, Clarinets, Alto/Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone/F. Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba/Sousaphone, Percussion, Color Guard, and Twirlers (audition required). The Maverick Marching Band rehearses in the fall semester on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 4:45 PM-6:15 PM at the UNO Center Dome facility (shuttle service provided to/from rehearsals). All members of the Maverick Marching Band receive at minimum a $250 scholarship for their participation. Maverick Marching Band members must report to campus for Preseason prior to the start of classes.

Have questions?

Joining the Maverick Marching Band

  1. Apply and be admitted to the University of Nebraska at Omaha. If you are a non-UNO student that wishes to participate, please contact the Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Joshua Kearney, directly by email at jskearney@unomaha.edu.
  2. Complete the Maverick Marching Band Registration form linked here.
    1. Take note of the Tentative Preseason Camp dates listed on this page. Marching Band members are required to attend!
  3. Complete the supplemental Medical/Image Use form. Students under the age of 19 will need a Parent/Guardian to complete these forms.
  4. Online $35 fee payment (consumable items, cleaning, repairs, etc)
  5. In the coming weeks, prior to Preseason Camp, you will be contacted by Athletic Bands staff with further information regarding the 2021 Preseason Schedule, equipment checkout, supplies, etc. You may also find much of this information below under "2021 Season Information"
  6. UNO Students must register for marching band in MavLINK. The course number is MUS 2750.​
  7. If you are interested in becoming a UNO MMB Twirler, you must complete an audition. Click here for more information!

2021 Season Information

  1. Welcome Letter / Preliminary Preaseason Camp Schedule—NEW!
  2. Detailed Daily Preseason Camp Schedule (forthcoming)
  3. Supplemental Medical/Image Use Form—NEW!
  4. Tentative Performance Calendar (forthcoming)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the UNO Maverick Marching Band?
Membership in the Maverick Marching Band (MMB) is open to all students on the UNO campus. Instrumentalists in the MMB should have a moderate level of experience on a traditional band instrument. The MMB also includes Twirlers (audition required) and the UNO Color Guard (non-auditioned). You do not have to be a music major to participate! Members of the Maverick Marching Band have represented nearly all academic disciplines on campus. Non-UNO students are eligible for participation on a case-by-case basis. Email Dr. Kearney at jskearney@unomaha.edu for more information about participation as a non-UNO student. The MMB uses the following instruments: piccolo, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet, mellophone/horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, front ensemble/pit percussion, and standard battery marching percussion (snare drum, bass drum, tenor drum, cymbals).

Are there special guidelines for participating in MMB during COVID-19?
The faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are committed to the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff. All rehearsals and performances will comply with the latest guidelines from the CDC, the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, and from the internationally-recognized Performing Arts Aerosol Study sponsored by the College Band Directors National Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations. For more information on UNO's COVID-19 response, please visit the Maverick COVID Response webpage.

Is there a Preseason Camp for members in the Maverick Marching Band?​
Yes! Preseason typically begins 2 weeks before classes begin. Preseason activites are staggered with percussion starting first. Please review the dates at the top of the page for more information. A daily detailed schedule will be available soon.

Do I have to audition to be a member of the MMB?
Instrumentalists and members of the Color Guard do not have to audition to participate in the MMB. MMB Twirlers, however, are selected based on a successful audition (audition information forthcoming).

Am I able to move into UNO Student Housing/Dorms early in order to participate in Preseason Camp?
Yes! Contact the housing office for early move-in details. Email: unohousing@unomaha.edu | Dodge Campus: 402.554.6605 | Scott Campus: 402.778.6541

If I am planning to audition for other School of Music ensembles (SWE, percussion ensemble, etc.) am I allowed to miss some of camp for my audition? If so, is there a good time to schedule my audition?
Yes! We want students to feel free to participate in other ensembles in the School of Music. Please try to schedule your audition close to the lunch hour during preseason camp, and let the director know of your audition time in advance.

Do members of the Maverick Marching Band receive a scholarship?
Absolutely! Due to the generous support of the University, the UNO Athletic Bands are pleased to offer ALL UNO student members of the MMB a minimum $250 scholarship for their participation.

What if I don't own a flag, piccolo, mellophone, tenor saxophone, marching baritone, or tuba?
No worries! The UNO Athletic Bands have an extensive array of instruments available for check-out in order to participate in the Athletic Band program. Some instruments/equipment will be made available for students to check-out if desired prior to the start of the virtual preseason experience.

When and where does the MMB rehearse?
Typically, the MMB rehearses in the fall semester on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 4:45-6:15 PM at the Center Dome on UNO's campus (6808 Spring St, Omaha, NE 68106). More details regarding the regular 2021 MMB rehearsal schedule will be made available soon.

Is there a cost to participate in the MMB?
There is a nominal fee to participate in the MMB, not to exceed $35 plus the cost of any necessary supplies (reeds, flipbook, etc.). Fees may be paid at the link above.

Can I still do marching band if I'm an engineering major because of the conflict(s) that arise during Preseason Camp?
Yes! Let Dr. Kearney know of the conflict early so that accommodations can be made.

Can I still participate in marching band (MUS 2750) if I know I may miss some rehearsals because of my scholarship?
In most cases - yes! Let Dr. Kearney know of any potential conflicts in advance so that any appropriate accommodations can be made.

I am a Music Education major at UNO. Am I required to participate in the MMB?
All Wind/Percussion Music Education majors must participate in the MMB for 2 semesters in order to fulfill their degree requirements. String Music Education majors must participate for 1 semester, and there is no requirement for Vocal Music Education majors to participate in the Maverick Marching Band.

Help! You didn't answer my question!
Please direct further questions to Dr. Joshua Kearney, UNO Director of Athletic Bands, by email at jskearney@unomaha.edu.​