Courtney Snyder, NWS Music Director
Courtney assumed the position of Assistant Director of Bands, Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009 and became Music Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony in November 2009.
Her responsibilities at UNO include serving as Director of Athletic Bands, including directing the Marching “Maverick” Band, overseeing the university pep band “Maverick Horns,” conducting the University Band, teaching conducting and music education courses, and providing private conducting instruction to both undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Snyder is also the faculty sponsor for the Kappa Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at UNO. She is an active clinician and adjudicator in Michigan and Nebraska. Prior to her appointment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Snyder completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in conducting at the University of Michigan, where she studied with Michael Haithcock.
Snyder taught in the public schools of Michigan for six years. The first two she taught high school band, orchestra and middle school band in Portage Public Schools. The last four she was Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Director of the spring musicals at Ypsilanti High School. She received her Master of Music degree in conducting from Baylor University and her Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she studied with Jack Stamp. She is published inTeaching Music Through Performance in Band, Vol. 3. Snyder has attended numerous conducting workshops and is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Conductor’s Guild, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Nebraska Music Educators Association, College Music Society, Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honorary Society.
Courtney can be reached via email at cksnyder@unomaha.edu. mail me
Chris Tucker, NWS Associate Director
Chris is in her 23rd year in the Gretna Public Schools and is currently Director of Middle School Bands. She received her Bachelor of Music in Education (1987), with Highest Distinction, and her Master of Music (1992) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 1993, Chris was awarded the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award, and in March of 2004, she received a Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association for serving on its Executive Board for nine years in the role of Treasurer. Chris has presented clinics at both the Nebraska Music Educators Conference and the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association conventions. In addition, she is a frequent adjudicator for many area contests and guest conductor and clinician for regional schools and honor band festivals.
Chris has been the Nebraska Wind Symphony Associate Conductor for the past ten concert seasons. Other professional organizations include Nebraska State Education Association, National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu, an international honorary society for band directors.
Chris may be reached via email at CTucker@gretnadragons.org mail me