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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 to become a Twirler). 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
    • Take note of the Preseason Camp dates listed on this page. Marching Band members are required to attend!
  3. Complete and return the Supplemental Forms below (may be returned/completed at first day of Preseason Camp). Students under the age of 19 will need a Parent/Guardian signature.
  4. In the month prior to Preseason Camp, you will be contacted by Athletic Bands staff with further information regarding the 2020 Preseason Schedule, instrument and uniform checkout, supplies, etc. You may also find much of this information below under "2020 Season Information"
  5. UNO Students must register for marching band in MavLINK. The course number is MUS 2750.​
  6. If you are interested in becoming a UNO MMB Twirler, you must complete an audition. 

2020 Season Information

  1. Welcome Letter - NEW!
  2. Detailed Preseason Schedule - TBA
  3. Supplemental Forms (Medical Form/Image Release)
  4. Tentative 2020 Performance Schedule - TBA
  5. Parking Information & Campus Maps - TBA

Forms may be returned to the following address:

Dr. Joshua Kearney
UNO School of Music
6001 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68182

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 (click here for audition information) and the UNO Color Guard (non-auditioned).  You do not have to be a music major to participate! Members of the Maverick Marching Band represent 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). 

Is there a Preseason Camp required for membership in the Maverick Marching Band?​
Yes! All Color Guard and Percussion (front ensemble and drum-line) report for camp two weeks before classes regardless of class standing. The rest of the ensemble reports one week before classes start. The dates for Percussion camp are Aug. 10-14, 2020; Color Guard Camp is Aug. 12-16; Preseason for all remaining members begins Aug. 17, 2020. Please note that returning members report for a special rehearsal on Aug. 15 and Freshmen (new members to the band regardless of class standing at UNO) report for a special rehearsal on Aug. 16. A detailed schedule for 2020 Preseason is forthcoming. Freshmen participate in traditional orientation sessions on each evening of the full band Preseason camp.

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.

Am I able to move into UNO Student Housing/Dorms early in order to participate in Preseason Camp?
Yes! When scheduling your move-in date, inform the student housing office that you are in marching band and need to come early for Preseason Camp. Contact Dr. Kearney if you have additional questions.

If there is no football team, then where does the MMB perform?!
The MMB is incredibly active and visible throughout the community. In recent years, members of the Maverick Marching Band have given up to 14 performances—including parades, performance exhibitions, and special community performances!

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 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.

When and where does the MMB rehearse?
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). There is shuttle service provided to/from the Center Dome from the Strauss Performing Arts Center. Shuttles leave promptly at 6:10 PM. Occasionally, and at the Director's discretion, there will be special and infrequent rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 PM in the Strauss Performing Arts Center room 109. Preseason activities take place at both the Strauss Performing Arts Center and at the Center Dome Facility. Transportation is NOT provided during Preseason Camp.

Is there a cost to participate in the MMB?
There is nominal uniform fee of less than $50 required of all students in order to participate in the Maverick Marching Band. Students will receive one pair of black gloves as part of this fee and use of their marching band uniform. Students are required to secure their own black marching band shoes. These may be ordered from the Director at the beginning of Preseason Camp. Twirlers are responsible for securing the entirety of their uniform independently of the MMB and are not subject to the $50 uniform fee.

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 do marching band if I know I may miss some rehearsals because of my scholarship?
Yes! Let Dr. Kearney know of any potential conflicts in advance so that the 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.
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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.​