History of the UNO Bands
History of the UNO Bands
During that first season, Wendland decided to invite a friend to come to Omaha for a performance at Omaha's Technical High School with his own professional band. Tech also happened to be OU drum major Evelyn McDonald's Alma Mater. During the first half of the October 8, 1928 concert the guest band leader conducted the Omaha Tech band prior to his ensemble's performance. At intermission the guest bandleader asked Ms. McDonald to come up on the stage for a special presentation. When she reached the stage the guest conductor said, "I take great pleasure in presenting you with this baton" that he had used in conducting the Tech band. Evelyn was quoted in the "Gateway" (the OU Student Newspaper) as being "thrilled to death" to receive the baton from America's greatest band leader... John Philip Sousa!
—Dr. James Saker, UNO Director of Bands Emeritus
UNO Directors of Bands
Henry W. Wendland | 1928-1929 |
V.J. Kennedy | 1950-1951 |
Robert Fiester | 1951-1952 |
Arthur Custer | 1952-1958 |
Jack Malek | 1958-1968 |
Darwin Tony Snyder | Spring 1968 |
Reginald Schive | 1968-1977 |
Dr. James Saker (Emeritus) | 1978-2014 |
Andrew Feyes (Interim) | 2013-2014 |
Dr. Karen Fannin | 2014-Present |
UNO Assistant Directors/Directors of Athletic Bands
Peter Vivona | 1982-1986 |
Thomas Wubbenhorst | 1986-1988 |
Jerry Tolson | 1988-1989 |
Dr. Steve Rehbein | 1988-1993 |
James Sawyer | 1993-1996 |
Mark Johnson (Interim) | 1996-1997 |
Dr. Timothy Yontz | 1997-2003 |
Dr. Erica Neidlinger | 2003-2007 |
Dr. Janet McCaskill (Interim) | 2007-2009 |
Dr. Courtney Snyder | 2009-2013 |
Tim Nutting (Interim) | 2013-2015 |
Dr. Joshua Kearney | 2015-Present |