Our Beginnings
Darwyn “Tony” Snyder and a group of like‑minded musicians recognized the need for a musical outlet for adults who had spent years playing in high school and college ensembles and still wanted to perform. They were right!
On Monday evening, September 26, 1977, Snyder raised his baton, and 70 adult amateur musicians launched into Henry Fillmore’s Americans We. That was the inaugural rehearsal of the Nebraska Wind Symphony, Omaha’s community concert band.
Read more about our founding Music Director.
Our Heritage
Over the years hundreds of school trained musicians have been eager to keep making music. Since that first rehearsal, nearly 1000 musicians have performed in over 200 concerts, contributing to a rich legacy of community music-making.
The NWS has commissioned five original works for concert band. We have performed under the direction of esteemed composers and conductors such as the late Claude T. Smith, the late Alfred Reed, Timothy Mahr, the late James Christensen, Craig Jessop, and Bob Foster.
Guest instrumental soloists have included distinguished artists like Marian McPartland (jazz piano), David Low (cello), Neil Archer Roan (guitar), Mike Freeman (marimba), Paula Hatcher (flute), Christine Beard (flute/piccolo), Cindy Nichols (clarinet), Charles Saenz (trumpet), Scott Anderson (trombone), Jennifer Bales (trumpet), Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor (piano), Pete Madsen (trombone), Ross Snyder (horn), the USAF Offut Brass, and others. We have also featured NWS scholarship recipients and our own very accomplished playing members as soloists.
Local vocalists such as Ardeth Elsberry, Beth Asbjornson, Laureen Pickle, Mary Carrick, Drew Duncan, Kim Lomax, and many others have graced our concerts. Guest narrators, including Mike Kelly, Rob McCartney, and others have also been featured.
The NWS has played an active role in community events, including a “welcome home” celebration for Desert Storm veterans and the dedication of a memorial honoring the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. For a number of years, NWS provided prelude and processional music for the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) spring graduation ceremonies.
Middle School All-Stars
In 2001, Deb Lund and Director Tim Yontz launched the Middle School All‑Stars program. Since then, the NWS has partnered with area middle school band directors to feature their top young musicians during the Winter Concert.
Students work with a clinician, rehearse with the ensemble, and perform one or two selections with full band accompaniment. This uplifting experience introduces students, families, and educators to one of the many music‑making opportunities available to adults in our community—and highlights the possibility of a lifetime in music.
Youth Education Partnership
The Music in Catholic Schools Honor Band has been featured in place of the middle school all-stars in some years. We have also shared concerts with Bennington South Middle School Band, Omaha North HS Band, Omaha Area Youth Orchestra (OAYO), Omaha Westview HS Band, and the Omaha Beveridge Middle School Band. These collaborations give young instrumentalists an opportunity to show their musical talents to the community and to experience the performance of seasoned instrumentalists.
Community Band Involvement
The NWS has long been involved with national community band initiatives.
- In April 2024, NWS hosted the first-ever Regional Connections event for the Association of Concert Bands (ACB), further strengthening ties within the community band network.
- In 2005, 50 NWS musicians traveled to Quincy, Illinois to perform at the ACB National Convention.
- In 1991, NWS hosted the ACB National Convention
Still Going Strong!
Today, more than 70 musicians—including several original members—rehearse and perform under the direction of Dr. Joshua Kearney, providing the Omaha community with exceptional band music. As we approach our 50th Anniversary Celebration season, the NWS is commissioning three new works for concert band and planning special concerts to mark this milestone.
Find out more on our 50th Anniversary Page.
Beyond the full symphonic band, members also participate in a variety of smaller ensembles, including:
- NWS Swingtones (Big Band)
- Blackwoods Wind Ensemble (clarinet choir)
- NWS Saxophone Quartet
- Saints and Sinners (Dixieland combo)
- Additional chamber groups form as needed to support various performances.
Music Directors of the Nebraska Wind Symphony
- Tony Snyder, 1977 to 1995
- Larry MacTaggart, 1995 through 1997
- Dr. Timothy Yontz, 1998 to 2003
- Dr. Erica Neidlinger, 2004 to July, 2007
- Janet McCaskill, 2007 to July, 2009
- Dr. Courtney Snyder, 2009 to May, 2014
- Larry MacTaggart, May, 2014 to July, 2019
- Read about Larry’s 2019 NSBA Award
- Dr. Joshua Kearney, August 2019 to current
- Josh was Visiting Music Director during our 2019-2020 season
Associate Directors of NWS
- Dan Kingkade, past
- Steve Kelly, past
- Chris Tucker, past
- Keith Davis, current