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The Nebraska Wind Symphony (NWS) was founded in 1977 by Darwyn "Tony" Snyder to provide adult musicians trained in school and collegiate ensembles with a continued outlet for performance. Since its inaugural rehearsal on September 26, 1977, the organization has developed into one of Omaha's leading community concert bands—expanding to include “The Swingtones” big band in 1983.
Over nearly five decades, more than 900 musicians have performed in over 200 concerts under the NWS banner. The ensemble presents approximately six concerts annually and has commissioned and premiered numerous original works. The NWS has performed under the direction of distinguished conductors and composers, including the late Alfred Reed, Marian McPartland, Claude T. Smith, and Jānis Puriņš, alongside guest artists from universities and professional ensembles nationwide.
The organization maintains an active presence within the national community band community, having hosted the Association of Concert Bands (ACB) national convention in 1991, performing at the ACB national convention in 2005, and hosting the ACB's inaugural Regional Connections event in 2024. The NWS has also performed for state conferences of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and has served as a lab ensemble for numerous conducting workshops and repertoire reading sessions.
Education and community engagement remain central to the NWS mission. Since 2001, the Middle School All-Stars program has provided performance opportunities to nearly 600 young musicians, who rehearse and perform alongside the ensemble annually. The NWS also administers an annual Memorial Scholarship Concerto Competition and, over the past three years, has collaborated with approximately ten area middle and high school bands.
During the 2026–27 concert season, the NWS will celebrate its 50th anniversary. In honor of the anniversary, the organization commissioned three new works by Keith Michael Davis, William Owens, and Erika Svanoe, conceived for ensembles of varying sizes and abilities—ensuring their accessibility to school and community bands throughout Nebraska and beyond. These commissions reflect the NWS's enduring commitment to artistic excellence and to fostering the next generation of wind band musicians. The season will also feature a special Middle School All-Stars Honor Band, expanding on the program's 23-year legacy of mentoring young musicians from across the region.
The Nebraska Wind Symphony comprises approximately 70 musicians, including several charter members, and is led by Music Director Joshua Kearney.
Joshua Kearney is Associate Professor and Director of Bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he teaches courses in music education and conducting, conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, coordinates the annual UNO Bands Conducting Workshop, and oversees all aspects of the UNO band program. In addition to his duties at UNO, Dr. Kearney serves as Music Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony. He has worked as an adjudicator and clinician for ensembles of all levels and maintains an active guest conducting schedule. Kearney regularly presents guest lectures and conference sessions within the U.S. and abroad. He began his career in the public schools south of Nashville, Tennessee.
Kearney earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Michigan State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Columbus State University in Georgia. Kearney holds affiliations with the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, the Nebraska Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, the College Music Society, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the College Band Directors National Association. Kearney has served on the Executive Board for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and in multiple leadership roles on committees within the College Band Directors National Association.
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