Cornhusker Marching Band Is 290-Strong in 2004

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 290-member Cornhusker Marching Band will make its 2004 debut Sept. 4 at Memorial Stadium with pregame and halftime performances at Nebraska's football season-opener against Western Illinois.

Founded in 1879 as an ROTC unit, the band began playing at Nebraska home football games with the inauguration of the sport at NU in 1890. Its many honors in its 125-year history include a Distinguished Recognition Trophy from John Philip Sousa in 1927 and the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Trophy in 1996. The Marching Red performed in a Kennedy Center Honors ceremony for Nebraska alum Johnny Carson in 1993, was a featured performer in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland, in 1996 and 2000, and was the first collegiate ensemble to perform at all the major football bowl games (Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Cotton).

Each band member passed two auditions to gain admittance to the group. Rehearsals for the 2004 season began Aug. 12. This year's band includes representatives from nearly every region of the country, but more than 80 percent of the students are from Nebraska. Less than 20 percent are music or music education majors, and the majority are studying physical or health sciences, education, business or engineering.

Anthony M. Falcone, associate director of bands in the UNL School of Music, is in his fourth year as director of the Cornhusker Marching Band. Douglas W. Bush is in his third year as assistant director of band and assistant marching band director. Carolyn Barber, associate professor of music, is director of bands. Other band staff members are graduate teaching assistants Brian Alber, Jared Rawling, Jeff Richmond and Christopher Werner; drum line instructor Nate Campbell; color guard instructor Lindssey Richmond; Rose Johnson, administrative assistant; Jan Deaton, secretary; and announcer Nolan Schmit.

Tyler Hottovy of Lincoln is head drum major. The assistant drum majors are Jenny Johannes of Columbus and Sarah Stratton of Brookings, S.D. Brooke Walter of Lakewood, Calif., is the twirler.

A list of the members of the 2004 Cornhusker Marching Band is available in text format at the link below. Information includes instrument or role in the band, year in school and academic major.

CONTACT: Rose Johnson, Cornhusker Marching Band, (402) 472-2505