Music Direct, Dr. Joshua Kearney
Joshua Kearney is Assistant Professor, Interim Director of Bands, and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he is responsible for all aspects of the athletic band program, teaches courses in music education and conducting, and directs the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. In addition to his duties at UNO, Dr. Kearney serves as Music Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony. Kearney began his career as a teacher in the public schools south of Nashville, Tennessee.
Dr. Kearney has worked as an adjudicator and clinician for ensembles of all levels—maintaining an active guest conducting schedule locally and across the United States. Additionally, Kearney regularly shares his research and experiences through conference presentations and workshops around the country including the Millard Public Schools, College Music Society (CMS) regional and national conferences, the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, the Nebraska Music Educators Association, the Michigan Music Conference, conferences of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) conference in Prague. Under Kearney’s direction, the Nebraska Wind Symphony was selected as a featured performer for the 2021 NMEA Conference.
An advocate of new music, Kearney regularly works with composers in the creation and performance of new works for winds. His direct efforts have contributed to pieces by Keith Davis, Catherine Likhuta, Giovanni Santos, Scott Boerma, Donald Grantham, Steven Bryant, Joe Krycia, and Anthony O’Toole. Dr. Kearney is also an active editor and arranger, having provided music for the UNO Athletic Bands, the Spartan Marching Band of Michigan State University, the UNO Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Columbus State University Wind Ensemble and Trombone Choir, the Southeast Trombone Symposium Professors Choir, and the Springer Opera House (GA). In 2020, Boosey & Hawkes announced plans to include Kearney’s educational edition of Georg Druschetzky’s Partita No. IV within their acclaimed Windependence Chamber Ensemble series. In 2017, Boosey & Hawkes also published Kearney’s critical edition of Emil Hartmann’s Serenade for Winds (Op. 43) which is regularly featured in prominent conducting symposia throughout the United States. Carl Fischer/Presser Music recently announced the publication of Dr. Kearney’s transcription for trombone choir of Charles Ives’ Variations on ‘America’ which received its premiere at the 2021 International Trombone Festival by the Southeast Trombone Symposium Professors Choir—an ensemble composed of leading trombonists from across the United States.
Kearney earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Michigan State University where he studied with Kevin Sedatole and his Master of Music in Conducting from Columbus State University (GA) where he was a student of Jamie L. Nix. He also earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Columbus State University. Kearney holds affiliations with the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, and the College Band Directors National Association. Kearney has served on the Executive Board for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and currently serves as Chair of the Social Media Committee for the College Band Directors National Association.
Keith Davis, NWS Associate Director
Keith is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and has made Omaha his home since 1991. He received his Bachelor of Music in Composition (1988) and Master of Music in Horn Performance (1990) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Keith has composed music for many instrumental ensembles, but has written mainly for symphonic and concert bands. His commissioned works include “A Western Plains Overture,” “Native Hunters, “Delicate Survivors of Life’s Mighty Storms” and “Bastion of Freedom.” He has also made special arrangement for the Wind Symphony, most notably a transcription of Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” and several holiday selections for our guest vocalists.
Keith has been a playing member of the Nebraska Wind Symphony since 1992 and also serves a Music Librarian. He is also a playing member with Orchestra Omaha and the Omaha Symphonic Winds.|
Keith lives in Gretna with his wife, oboist Deanna Davis, and their cat and two dogs.
Keith may be reached via email at: extisifan1@cox.net
Business Manager, Claire James
Claire James is a flutist and teacher who is passionate about music’s ability to positively impact individual and collective stories. She uses her skills as a creative to find unique ways to foster meaningful connections with music by teaching and performing in her local community. This includes collaboration with musicians and other artists to create innovative and accessible projects, usually hosted in non-traditional and local spaces, and flute education. You can see what she is up to on her social media: @ClaireJamesFlute or website: ClaireJamesFlute.com. Claire holds a Master’s of Music from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she studied under the instruction of Dr. Christine Beard. Claire holds an undergraduate diploma from Longy School of Music where she studied with Sergio Pallottelli.
Claire may be reached via email at: businessmanager@nebraskawindsymphony.com