Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

Students Faculty Staff Community
University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media School of Music
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • Director's Message
    • Mission and Vision
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Parking Information | Strauss Performing Arts Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Health and Wellness
    • Student Safety
    • Submit a News Item
  • Concerts & Events
  • Undergraduate Programs Backback to Main menu
    • Prospective Students
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • How to Apply
    • Credit Hour Policies and Procedures
    • Studios & Areas of Study
    • CFAM Advising
    • Undergraduate Student Handbook
  • Graduate Programs Backback to Main menu
    • Prospective Students
    • Graduate Programs
    • How to Apply
    • Studios & Areas of Study
    • Graduate Assistantships
    • CFAM Advising
    • Request Information
    • Graduate Student Handbook
  • Student Involvement Backback to Main menu
    • Bands
    • Chamber Music
    • Choirs
    • UNO Jazz Ensembles
    • Opera Theatre
    • UNO Orchestras
    • International Touring Program
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • Summer Keyboard Institute
    • Festivals & Camps
    • Omaha Area Youth Orchestras
    • BOCH Festival
    • Jazz Festival
    • Nebraska Medical Orchestra
    • Sound Health; Bringing Music to Medicine
  • Support Us Backback to Main menu
    • Support the School of Music
    • Support CFAM

Bands

  1. UNO
  2. College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
  3. School of Music
  4. Student Involvement
  5. Bands

The UNO Bands: A University Tradition Since 1928

symphonic wind ensemble photo

Our concert bands are open to students of all majors across campus!

Learn more about our ensembles
hockey band photo

Audition for UNO's pep band—The Maverick Machine!

Learn more
maverick winter guard

The UNO Maverick Winter Guard is a performing ensemble included in the UNO Sports Club program.

Learn more
jazz ensembles

Interested in participating in the UNO Jazz Area?

Learn more
marching band alumni photo

Are you a UNO Bands alumnus? Sign up for our mailing list to stay up-to-date about band events.

Register here

Established in 1928, the UNO Bands have been in existence for close to one hundred years.

  • Interested in majoring in music?

About the UNO Bands

The UNO Bands are some of the most visible and active organizations in the College of Communications, Fine Arts and Media. The UNO Bands include two concert bands (the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University Band) and several athletic ensembles. All of the bands perform literature of the highest caliber and are open to students of all majors across the UNO campus.

UNO Bands graphic

Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE)

As UNO's premier concert band, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) has developed an exemplary reputation throughout the country and abroad for its exceptional performances of high quality traditional and contemporary wind literature. Comprising some of the most outstanding musicians on campus, SWE performs an average of five concerts a year. SWE is under the direction of Dr. Joshua Kearney.

The ensemble has performed at regional conferences of the College Band Directors National Association, multiple conventions of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, several Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State conferences, and numerous other regional and national professional conferences. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has also performed abroad—giving concerts in France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearses Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:30-2:50 PM at the UNO School of Music. Students may enroll for SWE (MUS 4160/8160) pending a successful ensemble audition prior to the start of the fall semester. Click here for more information about auditioning for SWE.


University Band

The University Band is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all UNO students, faculty, and staff. The instrumentalists involved in this group perform a large variety of high-quality music for winds. The University Band performs two concerts per semester on UNO's campus. Students interested should register for the course in order to participate (MUS 2760). The University Band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00-4:50 PM during the fall and spring semesters at the UNO School of Music. The course may be taken for General Education credit. The University Band is under the direction of Prof. Peter Wilger.

The School of Music maintains an inventory of instruments available for students to use at no cost (pending availability). Please email Dr. Kearney with questions (jskearney@unomaha.edu).


UNO Athletics Ensemble graphic


"Maverick Machine" Pep Band

The Maverick Machine is the University of Nebraska at Omaha's resident pep band at the state-of-the-art Baxter Arena. The Maverick Machine rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 8:00-9:30 PM in the Strauss Music Building room 109. The band plays for UNO volleyball and basketball games as well as for our nationally-ranked hockey team. Auditions generally take place during the first few weeks of classes in the fall semester. All full members of the Maverick Machine receive $500 for their efforts.

The Maverick Machine has become a major public face of the university music program—playing for U.S. President Barack Obama's historic visit to the UNO campus as well as performing innovative halftime shows at UNO sporting events. The band regularly travels with UNO teams to tournaments around the United States and collaborates with university spirit and community organizations. Click here for more information.


The Maverick Winter Guard

Founded in 2022, the UNO Maverick Winter Guard is a performing ensemble included in the UNO Sports Club program under the direction of Brooke Winsor. One may be part of the competitive ensemble (audition required) or may participate without competing (no audition required).

The competitive ensemble will primarily compete in the local Heartland Winter Arts Association (HWAA) competition circuit with potential for participation in Winter Guard International (WGI) events. The non-competitive ensemble is an option for members who would not like to compete, but would still like a chance to learn and grow their skills in the activity. Learn more here.


The Herd Drumline

The Herd is UNO's non-competitive winter drumline that performs before evening hockey and basketball games to hype up the fans and "herd" them to Baxter Arena. The Herd is regularly sought after for guest performances at other university functions and around Omaha. This group includes approximately 10 musicians and alternates/subs. Placement in this group is competitive and not guaranteed. Each member receives $500 after fulfilling their season commitments. For more information and to receive audition materials, please contact Percussion Area Coordinator Dr. Hannah Weaver at hannahweaver@unomaha.edu. Learn more about the UNO Percussion Area.
  • History of the UNO Bands
  • Follow the UNO Bands on Facebook
  • Follow the UNO Bands on Twitter
  • Follow the UNO Bands on Instagram

College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media

Contact Us
  • College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
  • 314 Weber Fine Arts Building
  • 6505 University Drive South
  • Omaha, NE 68182   map
  • 402.554.3857
  • cfam@unomaha.edu
Social media
College Resources
  • School of the Arts
  • School of Communication
  • School of Music
  • Writer's Workshop
  • Art Gallery
  • Speech Center
  • UNO Theatre
  • KVNO
Weber Fine Arts Building

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • The Maverick Store
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • ©  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.