About the Band
East High has an outstanding tradition of excellence in vocal and instrumental music. Great music, great concerts, and great friendships combine for great classes. Music is a skill our students use and will enjoy the rest of their lives.
Our ensembles have performed for the state, district, and national conventions and clinics. The Marching Band has performed in London, England; San Francisco, California; marched at Walt Disney World in Florida and most recently performed in Nashville, Tennesee. The Blue Note Jazz Band has traveled to Indianapolis, Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and New York City.
Handbooks
Support
Volunteer
There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the school year and we depend on our parents and supporters to make our events and performances a success. Please watch your email and social media for requests.
Financial
If you would like to support the instrumental music program at East monetarily, we make it easy with support for Venmo.
2022–2023 Spring Semester
February
13th at 7:30 p.m.
February Band Concert
18th
Solo and Ensemble Contest
24th
UNO Jazz Festival
March
25th
LNE Spring Swing
(Jazz bands only)
April
17th & 20th
District Music Band Events
24th
Miles & Monet Jazz Cafe
(Jazz bands only)
25th
Percussion Ensemble Concert
May
9th
Spring Band Concert & Awards
11th
2023 Band Info Meeting!
Interested in what a typical fall semester of marching band looks like? Take a look at our Band Handbook.
Our Directors
Mr. Tom Thorpe
Director of Bands
Tom Thorpe is currently in his 22nd year of teaching, with the past fifteen being here at Lincoln East. Mr. Thorpe has taught numerous music classes at East and currently teaches Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Class, and History of Rock and Roll. He also conducts the Pep Band and Woodwind Choir.
While under his direction, the Lincoln East Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2012 and 2016 Nebraska State Bandmaster’s Association Conferences in Lincoln. In 2014, Tom was elected to the NMEA Executive Board, serving as Chair of Band Activities. He is currently serving on the Executive Board of NSBA in the role of Concert Band Chair.
Mr. Thorpe holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His professional affiliations include NSBA, NAfME, NMEA, Phi Beta Mu, LEA, and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Mr. Thorpe is married to Amy, who teaches music at Northeast High School. They have two sons, Tommy and Myles, and two miniature schnauzers, Rocky and Lily.
Ms. Nicole Shively
Assistant Director of Bands
Ms. Shively received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in May 2018 with an emphasis in horn. While at UNL, she was an active member of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra, along with many other performing and service groups across campus.
At East, Ms. Shively teaches Wind Symphony, Guitar 1, and Music Technology. In addition to assisting with the marching and concert bands, she also directs the Brass Choir and Prep Jazz Band. Ms. Shively is the sponsor for the East Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Mr. Esman Rodas Calderon
Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. Rodas Calderon received their Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in August 2022 with an emphasis in Euphonium. In his first year, he teaches at East HS, McPhee, Prescott, Everett, and Saratoga Elementary schools.
At East, Mr.Rodas Calderon teaches Wind Ensemble, while assisting with marching band. In addition, he also teaches 5th grade band at a handful of schools in downtown Lincoln. Providing beginning band lessons in both English and Spanish, he is passionate about teaching in Title I schools, providing equitable outcomes for all students.
Steffani Nolda
Student Teacher
Steffani Nolda is currently a senior pursuing a Bachelors of Music Education degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studies saxophone under Dr. Paul Haar. She is a 2019 graduate of North Platte High School in North Platte, Nebraska. During her studies at UNL, she has been a member of the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Saxophone Choir. She is a 4-year member of the Cornhusker Marching Band and is honored to have served as a drum major for the most recent season. She has been a camp counselor for the UNL Winter Winds Festival, Middle School Band Camp, and the High School Marching Camp. She has additional teaching experiences including private lessons with middle and high school students and is currently student teaching at Lincoln East High School. When finished with her degree, she seeks to pursue a career as a high school band teacher.
Mr. Del Whitman
Music Department Chair
Mr. Whitman is in his twenty-something year with Lincoln Public Schools, teaching orchestras at Lincoln East High School and Lux Middle School and assisting bands at East. As department chair, he also orders pencils, post-its, and piccolos.
Mr. Whitman received B.M. degrees in cello performance and music education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1986, and his M.M. degree in instrumental conducting from the UNL in 1991. He is also an active member of the First Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln, and enjoys being home with his wife, Julie and their three kids, Mallory, Isaac, and Jayne. He loves pineapple, basketball, can moonwalk, and once almost poked his eye out with the baton.
CO-Curricular Ensembles
Co-Curricular ensembles meet during the school day and students are enrolled through Lincoln East to participate. Students receive a grade in these ensembles and therefore must adhere to the grading requirements set forth by each class. Classes offered are listed in the Ensembles.
Marching Band
This is the first quarter portion of Band at East for all grades. Students will be expected to attend a camp in the summer. Students who do not attend this camp cannot be guaranteed a spot in the halftime show! This ensemble performs at all home football games and 4 marching festivals. All students will develop not only physical stamina but memorization and multi-tasking skills.
Wind Ensemble
This ensemble begins playing in the second quarter after marching season is completed. It, along with Blue Note, is the top instrumental ensemble at East High School. It is based on an audition played the previous spring. This ensemble will perform 4-5 concerts per year as well as perform at the District Large Ensemble Contest for adjudication in April. A select group from Wind Ensemble will play with the Varsity Orchestra for their Cadenza Concert.
Symphonic Band
This ensemble also begins in the second quarter and is open to all 10-12 graders. This group will perform 3-4 concerts per year and may perform at the District Large Ensemble Contest.
9th Grade Band
This ensemble begins in the second semester and is made up of the East Band’s 9th graders. This is a great opportunity to develop a musical “team” and sense of camaraderie between members. The main focus of the band is to develop solid fundamentals of playing in a concert ensemble and to best prepare students for their future ensembles. The 9th Grade Band will perform 2-3 concerts per year and may perform at the District Large Ensemble Contest.
Blue Note Jazz Band
This is a year-long ensemble. Membership in this ensemble is decided by audition the preceding spring. This ensemble will focus on learning the various elements of jazz through demonstrations, handouts, projects, lab work, and most importantly, performance. Performances include concerts, jazz festivals, and possible civic performances as they arise.
Percussion Class
This class meets 2nd semester and consists of all percussionists in grades 9-12. They perform their own spring concert and also learn music to perform with the concert bands.
Extra-Curricular Ensembles
Extra-Curricular ensembles are not actual classes and typically meet outside of the school day, both before and after school, and in no way are required to be in band at East. They are meant to be extra opportunities that are open to East Band students.
Prep Jazz Band(s)
These Jazz Bands meet in the spring semester and are meant to be an introductory environment for those interested in playing in a jazz band setting. Typically meeting one to three times per week before school, this ensemble is meant to build a strong foundation of basic improvisational techniques that are needed to be selected into the Blue Note Jazz Band. The band’s performances could depend on the instrumentation and maturity level from year to year. There is no audition for this band, only a willingness to learn and consistent attendance.
Blue Rush Pep Band
This pep band performs at all home basketball games in December, January, and February. All are welcome to participate but need to attend specified rehearsals in November to be involved. Students must be in band both semesters to be eligible for pep band.
Woodwind/Brass Choir
Brass Choir meets in the Fall Semester and Woodwind Choir meets in the Spring Semester. Usually meeting before the school day, these groups perform at one concert and possibly other local performances.
Musical Pit Orchestra
Musical Pit Orchestra rehearses and performs for the school musical in the Fall Semester. Members are selected through an audition in the fall and include band and orchestral players. This group typically rehearses two evenings a week, in addition to extra rehearsals the two weeks prior to the show, and performs in three shows. Consistent attendance and individual practice is required for this group.
Show Choir Band
The purpose of Show Choir Band is to play for Show Choir performances. This group auditions during the fall semester, begins rehearsals during second quarter, and continues through the end of Show Choir season in March. In addition to rehearsing 1-2 times weekly, they also perform in six competitions and two home shows. Show Choir Band is led by the Choir Director.
Chamber Ensembles
Various other ensembles may be formed throughout the year, depending on the level of student interest. These might include percussion ensembles, miscellaneous duets, trios, quartets, etc. that might want to perform at the Solo & Ensemble Contest and the Tri-M Souper Bowl in February. These are not required but are strongly encouraged and are an excellent way to develop musicianship in a chamber music setting. Students usually start selecting music in November and prepare their music in the coming months.
Solo Performances
Much like performing in the Small Ensembles, this opportunity will raise your musical ability to a whole new level. Soloists also perform at Solo-Ensemble Contest and Tri-M Souper Bowl in February.
2022–2023 Boosters
2022-2023 Executive Board
President
Chris Hansen
Vice-President
Bret Welstead
Treasurers
Elizabeth Lucas and Jeremy Suing
Secretary
Kim Armstrong
Communications Director
Open
2022-2023 Members At Large
Uniforms
Kristy Manzitto
Color Guard
Valerie Chamberlin
Pit Crew
Nick Manzitto
Website
John Peterson and Brian Fitzgerald
Volunteer Coordinator
Tasha McDonell
Craft Fair Coordinator
Open