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.
Chris Tucker, Associate Director
Chris Tucker taught Band for 38 years in the Gretna Public Schools. Starting in 1987, she was the 5th – 12th grade Band Director, and in her final year she was one of ten band staff members as the Gretna Schools had grown to have two middle schools and two high schools. For her last ten years in Gretna, she was the Director of Middle School Bands at Gretna Middle School and assisted with the three concert bands and two marching bands at Gretna High School. 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. She was awarded the first-ever “Outstanding Middle School Teacher” for the Gretna Public Schools in 2023. 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 also served as the Associate Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony from 2000 to 2012, including serving as Interim Director in the fall of 2003. She is currently the Executive Director for the Nebraska Middle School All-Stars which is an organization that takes middle level Band, Choir and Orchestra students on a one week playing tour in Hawaii. She is a member of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band which performed in the 2022 Rose Parade, the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the 2026 Rose Parade. Her other professional organizations include National Band Association and Phi Beta Mu, an international honorary society for band directors.
Business Manager, Lindsay Tague
Lindsay Tague is a communications and media professional with a passion for the arts and community engagement. Her background includes journalism, digital communications, and nonprofit storytelling, with experience covering arts organizations throughout Nebraska. As a former arts reporter for KVNO, Lindsay had the opportunity to tell the stories of the Nebraska Wind Symphony through several performances and special events, giving her a deep appreciation for the organization’s mission and musicians. She is excited to join the Nebraska Wind Symphony as Business Manager and looks forward to supporting its ongoing commitment to artistic excellence while helping connect audiences with exceptional musical experiences across the region.
Keith Davis, Music Librarian
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.
Keith has been a playing member of the Nebraska Wind Symphony since 1992. 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.