Cornhusker Marching Band debuts for 2026 football season

This year’s band includes representatives from nearly every region of the country, with 83% hailing from Nebraska communities. Twenty-four percent of the members are students in the Glenn Korff School of Music, while the remainder represent about 65 other academic programs across the university. Each student completed two auditions to earn a spot in the band.

Drum majors for the 2026 marching band are junior Hudson Carrico of La Vista; graduate student Jake Green of Lincoln; and senior Preston Pierce of Lincoln. Twirlers are sophomore Jayda Turner of Bellevue and junior Allison Weiss of Omaha.

Tony Falcone, associate director of bands in the Korff School, is the director of the Cornhusker Marching Band. Doug Bush is the assistant director of bands and assistant marching band director. Carolyn Barber, Ron and Carol Cope Professor of Music, is director of bands. Rose Johnson is the administrative technician, Jan Deaton is the office associate, and Nolan Schmit is the “voice” of the band. Other band staff members are graduate teaching assistants Sarah Aymond, Andrea Mack and Colton Schaefer. Jacob Wrobel is the percussion instructor, and Samantha Houston Brown is the color guard instructor.

The Cornhusker Marching Band, which resides in the Korff School, was founded in 1879 as an ROTC unit and is one of the oldest marching bands in the nation. The band has received many honors throughout its 147-year history, including a Distinguished Recognition Trophy presented by John Philip Sousa in 1927 and the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Trophy in 1996. The Sudler Trophy is the highest honor given to collegiate bands.

The “Pride of All Nebraska” has been seen by millions of viewers on television. The band was the first collegiate ensemble to perform at all the major football bowl games: Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Cotton. Learn more.

Following is a list of 2026 Cornhusker Marching Band members by hometown, with instrument or role in band, year in school, and academic major(s) or program of study.

Nebraska

Archer:

• Blaze Blauhorn, tuba, junior, finance.

Aurora:

• Austin Lents, alto saxophone, junior, physics.
• Hannah Vermillion, piccolo, freshman, interior design.

Beatrice:

• Ryan Rempel, trombone, freshman, chemical engineering and civil engineering.

Bellevue:

• Isabella Acosta, piccolo, senior, physics.
• Claire Bossman, color guard, sophomore, environmental and sustainability studies, and sociology.
• Christopher Nelson, horn, junior, mechanical engineering.
• Isaak Nilson, tenor saxophone, sophomore, political science.
• James Rachwitz, trombone, freshman, biochemistry.
• Jaron Rains, clarinet, freshman, music education.
• Jonah Schwarting, percussion, junior, nutrition and health sciences.
• Jayda Turner, twirler, sophomore, child, youth and family studies.
• Madeline Woods, color guard, junior, pre-health.
• Blake Zimmerman, alto saxophone, junior, pre-health.

Bennet:

• Andrew Moyer, trumpet, senior, biological sciences.
• Emily Moyer, piccolo, sophomore, pre-health.

Bennington:

• Noah Andersen, trumpet, senior, mechanical engineering.
• Justine Huse, color guard, junior, emerging media arts.
• Jensen Manz, tuba, freshman, music.
• Parker McIlnay, horn, senior, sports media and communication.
• Jackson Miller, trumpet, senior, chemistry.
• Jocelyn Pohl, color guard, sophomore, business analytics.
• Dylan Rapp, baritone, sophomore, mechanical engineering.
• Megan Wilkins, clarinet, senior, environmental and sustainability studies.

Ceresco:

• Charlotte Coughlin, tenor saxophone, sophomore, anthropology.

Columbus:

• Ben Gascon, trumpet, senior, architectural studies.
• Keedyn Krepel, percussion, sophomore, electrical engineering.
• Angel Osorio-Sagastume, percussion, junior, emerging media arts.
• Brenna Quincy, color guard, junior, elementary education and special education (K-6).
• Jaylynn Sylvester, percussion, junior, environmental and sustainability studies.

Denton:

• Joel Buettner, baritone, senior, civil engineering.

Eagle:

• Olivia Cupp-Whiteman, clarinet, sophomore, data science and economics (Raikes School).

Elkhorn:

• Rayne Aurit, trombone, senior, statistics and data analytics, and computer science.
• Jacqueline Caldwell, color guard, freshman, advertising and public relations.
• Darla Crews, color guard, junior, music education.
• Andrew Hoegemeyer, percussion, freshman, music education.
• Ellie Hoegemeyer, clarinet, junior, psychology.
• Jeremiah Mohring, trumpet, senior, biological sciences.
• Adelina Redlin, trumpet, senior, speech-language pathology.
• Brayden Siebler, tuba, sophomore, business and law.
• Lauren Sieck, clarinet, senior, music education.
• Grant Spanel, trombone, junior, food science and technology.
• Grace Ulrich, clarinet, senior, English and theatre arts.

Firth:

• Maria Fix, percussion, sophomore, microbiology.
• Morrisa Kisling, percussion, senior, music education.

Fremont:

• Alexis Frank, color guard, junior, graphic design.
• Riona Higashi, trombone, freshman, international business.
• Bethany Miller, trombone, senior, hospitality, restaurant and tourism management.
• Cade Rasmussen, trombone, senior, nutrition and health sciences.
• Alejandro Villagomez, tenor saxophone, sophomore, mechanical engineering.

Gothenburg:

• Mavrix Butterfield, clarinet, freshman, music education.

Grand Island:

• Talon Biberos, baritone, sophomore, music education.
• Brennan Clark, horn, junior, music education.
• Malik Hansen, tenor saxophone, sophomore, music.
• Jessica Kroeger, alto saxophone, freshman, music education.
• Tillie McDowall, trumpet, sophomore, anthropology.
• Audra Rischling, horn, junior, music education.
• Katelyn Sodomka, horn, freshman, accounting.
• Ryan Sodomka, trombone, senior, music education.

Gretna:

• Emma Cheshek, piccolo, junior, music education.
• Paige Germer, color guard, senior, chemistry.
• Cody Hunter, trombone, senior, civil engineering.
• Sophia Korth, color guard, sophomore, advertising and public relations.
• Amelia Onwiler, color guard, freshman, music education.
• Faith Rinaldi, horn, senior, psychology.
• Carson Wheeler, trumpet, junior, actuarial science.
• Emma Willey, piccolo, senior, mechanical engineering.

Hickman:

• Bradyn Mehlhorn, alto saxophone, freshman, biological systems engineering.

Holdrege:

• Blake Harvey, tuba, senior, architectural studies.

Kearney:

• Makayla Maxson, color guard, senior, advertising and public relations.
• Devin Tubbs, trumpet, junior, broadcasting, and sports media and communication.
• Karson Wright, trumpet, sophomore, emerging media arts.

La Vista:

• Hudson Carrico, drum major, junior, broadcasting, and advertising and public relations.
• Cooper Cook, trumpet, senior, civil engineering.
• Reagan McPeck, color guard, junior, architectural studies.
• Spencer Smith, trumpet, freshman, biochemistry.
• Parker Wolfe, alto saxophone, senior, computer science.

Lincoln:

• Trevin Anderson, trumpet, junior, actuarial science.
• Will Bethune, percussion, junior, mechanical engineering.
• Olivia Burns, piccolo, freshman, music education.
• Tori Coleman, color guard, senior, veterinary science and pre-veterinary medicine.
• Gavin Dannelly, tenor saxophone, freshman, undeclared.
• Jamison Dixon, horn, sophomore, computer engineering and electrical engineering.
• Blake Ebert, trumpet, sophomore, finance and accounting.
• Darrion Edwards, trombone, junior, nutrition and health sciences.
• Amelia Farber, horn, junior, sociology.
• Liam Fitzgerald, percussion, sophomore, music education.
• Joseph Fitzpatrick, trumpet, freshman, business and law.
• Alexander Ganshert, alto saxophone, sophomore, electrical engineering.
• Kyle Geschwender, alto saxophone, senior, software engineering.
• Asher Green, trumpet, freshman, special education (7-12).
• Jake Green, drum major, graduate student, mechanical and materials engineering.
• Brady Groves, trumpet, junior, geography and history.
• Samuel Hanson, trombone, senior, philosophy and political science.
• Kasey Hazen, baritone, freshman, accounting.
• John Helter, alto saxophone, junior, mechanical engineering.
• Ryne Hermsen, tenor saxophone, senior, secondary education.
• Kamryn Hertzel, color guard, junior, criminology and criminal justice.
• Kainoa Holland, baritone, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Tye Hollmann, percussion, sophomore, music.
• Mai Jacobo, percussion, sophomore, global studies.
• Lily Johnston, piccolo, freshman, music.
• Nuhad Khan, tenor saxophone, senior, music and biological sciences.
• Mirabella Kundhi, tenor saxophone, senior, emerging media arts.
• Jacob Langhorst, percussion, junior, business analytics.
• Abby Lubash, trumpet, freshman, pre-health.
• Kaylee Luke, horn, freshman, fisheries and wildlife.
• Alison Lundstedt, color guard, junior, anthropology.
• Brian Manzitto, alto saxophone, sophomore, broadcasting.
• Dawson McGahan, tuba, graduate student, electrical engineering.
• Alaina Miller, piccolo, sophomore, management.
• Abby Moorehead, horn, freshman, music.
• Brayden Neesen, tenor saxophone, freshman, music education.
• Matthew Nguyen, alto saxophone, sophomore, data science and mathematics.
• Mina Nguyen, percussion, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Addison Novacek, trombone, sophomore, secondary education.
• Jenna Olson, percussion, senior, music education.
• Ryan Olson, trombone, junior, music education.
• Marcos Ortiz Ibarra, trumpet, sophomore, finance.
• Abigail Perez Mejia, trumpet, sophomore, music education.
• Parker Peterson, horn, senior, software engineering.
• Preston Pierce, drum major, senior, music education.
• Brynley Prang, clarinet, senior, mechanical engineering.
• Grace Sandbulte, piccolo, senior, pre-health.
• Natalie Schmersal, piccolo, senior, emerging media arts.
• Savannah Schutte, color guard, senior, mathematics.
• Alex Schwarz, horn, senior, computer science.
• Mackyna Sklenar, clarinet, freshman, pre-health.
• Nick Sprague, trumpet, junior, nutrition and health sciences.
• Christian Staehr, baritone, junior, secondary education.
• Holly Stoebner, tuba, senior, biological sciences.
• Katy Taylor, color guard, senior, actuarial science.
• Anna Tews, piccolo, graduate student, biochemistry.
• Autum Thurber, clarinet, junior, secondary education.
• Cora Vander Woude, trumpet, junior, biological systems engineering.
• Lauren Vogel, color guard, senior, psychology.
• Johanna Walsh, baritone, sophomore, textiles, merchandising and fashion design.
• Cole Welstead, tuba, senior, computer science (Raikes School) and data science.
• Gavin Wiechman, trumpet, sophomore, construction management.
• Ryder Williams, percussion, sophomore, music education.
• Seth Woodward, piccolo, senior, biological sciences.
• Cyrus Zgud, piccolo, senior, music education.

Monroe:

• Perah Connelly, color guard, junior, biological systems engineering.

Nebraska City:

• Kiera Rakowski, clarinet, senior, mechanical engineering.

Norfolk:

• Alex Cook, alto saxophone, senior, theatre arts.
• Noah Janke, trombone, senior, mechanical engineering.
• Amelia Pinkelman, trombone, junior, biochemistry.

North Platte:

• Levi Luenenborg, trumpet, senior, computer engineering.
• Haylee Nolda, clarinet, junior, nutrition and health sciences.

Ogallala:

• Michael Tophoj, color guard, sophomore, biological systems engineering.

Omaha:

• Jack Adair, tenor saxophone, sophomore, music education.
• Isaak Apel, percussion, freshman, music education.
• Dylan Asmus, baritone, senior, actuarial science and finance.
• Kayla Bein, color guard, freshman, psychology.
• Anna Berger, clarinet, junior, biological sciences.
• Adam Blaker, percussion, senior, music education.
• Cicily Blaker, tuba, sophomore, history.
• Madison Bonham, horn, sophomore, music.
• Elizabeth Buescher, piccolo, junior, music and accounting.
• Payton Bush, tuba, freshman, music education.
• William Cameron, baritone, freshman, supply chain management.
• Kaitlynn Cantrell, trumpet, sophomore, microbiology.
• Aidan Carlson, percussion, junior, chemical engineering.
• Wren Cave, percussion, junior, music.
• Patrick Clark, alto saxophone, sophomore, broadcasting, and sports media and communication.
• Madeline Condon, clarinet, senior, music.
• Liam Doan, color guard, sophomore, chemical engineering.
• Liam Dougherty, tuba, sophomore, biological systems engineering.
• Teddy Dunning, alto saxophone, sophomore, business and law.
• Anthony Eccleston, trumpet, sophomore, nutrition and health sciences.
• Maddux Eckles, trumpet, junior, music.
• Jonathan Friesen, percussion, senior, pre-health.
• David Garcia, horn, senior, music education.
• Addison Gibson, color guard, freshman, secondary education.
• Emily Gibson, color guard, senior, music education.
• Lily Gliske, horn, senior, history.
• Arquimedez Halsey, percussion, junior, music education.
• Brynn Haver, trombone, freshman, fisheries and wildlife.
• McKaylee Houng, trombone, junior, psychology.
• Emma Jaros, piccolo, freshman, music.
• Angel Jimenez, percussion, freshman, music education.
• Faith Johnson, tenor saxophone, senior, biochemistry.
• Kaitlyn Johnston, clarinet, junior, biochemistry.
• Sam Kleffman, tenor saxophone, sophomore, computer engineering.
• Emma Kreikemeier, trombone, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Hannah Kress, clarinet, senior, child, youth and family studies.
• Austin Landmark, trumpet, senior, chemical engineering.
• Jordan Larsen, alto saxophone, junior, music.
• Martin Lopez, trumpet, junior, sports media and communication, and broadcasting.
• Latron Louis Jr., alto saxophone, junior, music.
• Jonah Lubberstedt, tuba, sophomore, pre-health.
• Jacob Maroon, trombone, junior, biological sciences.
• Mason Miller, trumpet, senior, computer science (Raikes School), data science and mathematics.
• Leo Millerbernd, clarinet, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Charles Morgan, trumpet, junior, music.
• Will Nitzschke, tuba, senior, accounting.
• Matthew Oloff, alto saxophone, sophomore, music education.
• Brenden Olson, trumpet, junior, software engineering.
• Joshua Olson, horn, junior, psychology.
• Max Olson, percussion, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Marisa Powell, color guard, sophomore, civil engineering.
• Karyssa Reason, horn, senior, economics.
• Katie Schlosser, clarinet, senior, psychology.
• Davin Seeger, percussion, senior, music education.
• Carrick Smith, baritone, sophomore, music education.
• Henry Smith, trumpet, junior, music education.
• Madison Sommerer, color guard, sophomore, art.
• Gudelia Tepox, trumpet, senior, forensic science.
• Aaron Thernes, trombone, freshman, biological systems engineering.
• Tate Underwood, alto saxophone, senior, finance.
• Vanessa Uwase, tuba, junior, civil engineering.
• Addisyn VanBeek, color guard, freshman, undeclared.
• Alexander Voss, percussion, junior, computer engineering.
• Allison Weiss, twirler, junior, elementary education and early childhood education.
• Colin Worthington, clarinet, junior, music education.

Palmyra:

• Oscar Thomas, tenor saxophone, senior, mechanical engineering.

Papillion:

• Mason Amsberry, horn, junior, music education.
• Dylan Auld, baritone, senior, music education.
• Josh Blazek, baritone, senior, music and mechanical engineering.
• Owen Bottjen, trumpet, junior, music education.
• Devin Countryman, alto saxophone, senior, animal science and pre-veterinary medicine.
• Madalyn Croteau, trumpet, freshman, English.
• Jack Hook, trumpet, sophomore, software engineering.
• Blake Kearney, clarinet, freshman, physics.
• James Kessler, trumpet, senior, biological sciences, and fisheries and wildlife.
• Meredith Koehler, alto saxophone, senior, emerging media arts.
• Logan Magner, horn, freshman, undeclared.
• Gavin Mielke, horn, senior, architectural studies.
• Evan Redemske, percussion, sophomore, architectural studies.
• Abigail Reilly, trombone, freshman, music education.

Plattsmouth:

• Emma Horner, tenor saxophone, freshman, journalism.
• Jaden Horner, baritone, senior, graphic design.
• Mel Ostrander, tuba, senior, psychology.
• Drue Weeda, trombone, freshman, broadcasting and journalism.

Ravenna:

• Lainey Hervert, piccolo, sophomore, management.

Roca:

• Owen Andersen, trumpet, sophomore, food science and technology.
• Barrett Stueven, trombone, junior, management.
• Pete Wasser, trombone, junior, electrical engineering.

Schuyler:

• Joel Medina, trombone, junior, music.

Scribner:

• Logan Ortmeier, trumpet, freshman, political science.

South Sioux City:

• Kevlyn Larvick, alto saxophone, sophomore, music.

Springfield:

• Annalise Becerra, trumpet, senior, economics.

Wahoo:

• Jesse Stebbing, trumpet, senior, physics.

Wausa:

• Jarrett Andersen, tuba, senior, chemistry.

Waverly:

• Allison Brandl, trombone, sophomore, child, youth and family studies.
• Nathaniel Cloud, trombone, junior, microbiology.
• Alyssa Rine, clarinet, sophomore, music education.

Wayne:

• Ceilus Ibarra, piccolo, junior, music, and advertising and public relations.

York:

• Katelyn Ecklund, piccolo, sophomore, environmental science.
• Ellie Gartner, tuba, junior, criminology and criminal justice.
• Naomi Renner, trumpet, sophomore, chemical engineering.

Elsewhere in the U.S.

ARIZONA:

Marana:

• Tessa Soukup, piccolo, senior, civil engineering.

COLORADO:

Fort Collins:

• Katie Kuskie, piccolo, sophomore, music education.

Highlands Ranch:

• Brett Vogler, trumpet, junior, music and finance.

ILLINOIS:

Albers:

• Rainer Bretz, alto saxophone, senior, economics.

Arlington Heights:

• Delaney McCabe, color guard, senior, business and law.

Geneva:

• Brock Mason, trumpet, senior, actuarial science.

Glenview:

• Hayden Giannini, percussion, senior, music education.

Grayslake:

• Jeyvin Coleman, percussion, junior, computer engineering and electrical engineering.

Plainfield:

• Brandon Muff, tuba, senior, software engineering.

Round Lake:

• Angela Sementa, color guard, senior, nutrition and health sciences, and dance.

Springfield:

• Audrey Bozarth, trombone, freshman, music education.

IOWA:

Glenwood:

• Maggie Smith, clarinet, freshman, music education.

Red Oak:

• Sam Fields, tuba, senior, nutrition and health sciences.
• Pablo Villaneuva, trombone, freshman, music education.

Sioux Center:

• Evan Hurst, horn, sophomore, pre-health.
• William Hurst, trumpet, senior, actuarial science.

KANSAS:

El Dorado:

• Cam Eckdahl, percussion, junior, music education.

Leavenworth:

• Annabelle Longfellow, piccolo, freshman, nutrition and health sciences.

Leawood:

• Dylan Levitan, percussion, junior, chemical engineering.

Lenexa:

• Erin Kiewiet, piccolo, senior, political science.

Mission:

• Lincoln King, clarinet, junior, mechanical engineering.

Salina:

• Amarah Jordan, color guard, sophomore, graphic design.

Topeka:

• Kwame James, percussion, sophomore, music education.

MICHIGAN:

Parma:

• Maddy Cotey, color guard, junior, secondary education.

MINNESOTA:

Bloomington:

• Max Everett, trumpet, graduate student, music.

Lakeville:

• Garrett Siefken, baritone, senior, music and electrical engineering.

Maple Plain:

• Claire Erb, percussion, junior, music education.

MISSOURI:

Parkville:

• Emma Kimbrel, baritone, senior, elementary education and special education (K-6).

NEW JERSEY:

Sewell:

• Isabella Donia, piccolo, senior, computer engineering.

NEW MEXICO:

Rio Rancho:

• Seth McLaughlin, alto saxophone, junior, mechanical engineering.

OKLAHOMA:

Edmond:

• Nina Weber, color guard, sophomore, environmental science.

SOUTH DAKOTA:

Brookings:

• Chloe Heermann, piccolo, junior, biological sciences.
• Joseph Michna, percussion, sophomore, mechanical engineering.

Sioux Falls:

• Charley Larsen, clarinet, junior, chemical engineering.
• William Quick, alto saxophone, sophomore, biochemistry (pre-dentistry).
• Ethan Rohr, baritone, senior, music.
• Emmanuel Siemonsma, percussion, freshman, mechanical engineering.
• Matthew Wang, trombone, graduate student, computer science.

Valley Springs:

• Dante Tooley, trombone, junior, music.

Watertown:

• Kate Luken, piccolo, senior, international business.

Yankton:

• Isaac Petersen, clarinet, freshman, music education.

TENNESSEE:

Nolensville:

• Grace Lawrence, trumpet, sophomore, psychology.

TEXAS:

Dripping Springs:

• Johanna Stalvey, percussion, freshman, political science.

Plano:

• Matthew Johnson, percussion, junior, computer science and mathematics.

Rosharon:

• Natalie Nietes-Geren, alto saxophone, sophomore, microbiology.

Seagoville:

• Corbyn Hahn, percussion, freshman, music.

WASHINGTON:

Mercer Island:

• Julian Jay, tenor saxophone, junior, nutrition and health sciences.