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.
In 2026, the East High Band, along with the entire East High music department, will be headed to Chicago!
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 Square.
2026–2027 Marching Band Schedule
Percussion and Color Guard Clinics: 6:00p–8:00pm on June 22, June 29, July 6, July 13
July
22nd
8–11:30am & 1–3:30pm
Leadership Training
23rd–24th
8–11:30am & 1–3:30pm
Percussion and Guard Clinic
24th
8–11:30am & 1–3:30pm
Rookie Day
27th–31st
8–11:30am & 1–3:30pm
Full Band Camp – No afternoon session on Friday
31st at 7:00pm
Camp Exhibition Performance at Stuart Field
August
15th
Picture Day (Optional)
24th
East Booster Blitz
27th at 7:30 p.m.
Football vs LNE
September
10th at 7:00 p.m.
Football vs Omaha North (Homecoming)
25th at 7:00 p.m.
Football vs Kearney
26th
Waverly Marching Festival at Waverly High School
October
9th at 7:00 p.m.
Football vs LSW (Senior Night)
10th
Links Marching Festival at Seacrest
15th–19th
Fall break!
17th
LPS Marching Festival at Seacrest
24th
NSBA State Marching Festival at Seacrest
2026–2027 Concert Band Schedule
Dates and Times Subject to Change
December
14th
Winter Band Concert
February
1st
February Band Concert
9th
Orchestra Cadenza Concert (Some Wind Ensemble members may be asked to perform at this)
March
31st
NSBA State Concert Band Festival in Kearney
April
12th
Band Pre-Contest Concert
21st
LPS District Music Contest (Wind Ensemble Only)
May
10th
Spring Band Concert & Awards Night
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. Tom served on the NSBA board as Concert Band Chair from 2021-2024.
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 is the District Music Teacher Leader. They have 2 sons, Tommy (22) and Myles (19) and one mini-schnauzer, Lily.
Ms. Nicole Shively
Assistant Director of Bands
Nicole Shively is the Assistant Band Director and Music Department Chair at Lincoln East High School, where she has taught since 2018. She teaches various concert and marching band ensembles, Guitar, and Music Technology. Ms. Shively directs the Brass Choir and Prep Jazz Band as extracurricular ensembles, and she is the sponsor for East’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter as well as the LPS Music Festival.
East’s Tri-M chapter was first runner-up for National Tri-M Chapter of the Year in 2018-19. Ms. Shively received the Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award from the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association in 2022.
Ms. Shively received her Bachelor’s in Music Education with Honors and High Distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an emphasis in horn. In addition to teaching, she actively performs with the Lincoln Civic Orchestra, Husker Horn Choir, and the Sinfonia Brass Quintet at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Ms. Shively also serves as the Director of Counselors for the American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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.
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.
2026–2027 Boosters
Executive Board
President
Jill Giles
Vice President
Kimberly Chauche
Treasurer
Michaela Harrison
Secretary
Sheila Mays
Communications Director
April Minster
Members-At-Large
Uniforms
Kristy Manzitto
Color Guard
NEEDED
Pit Crew
Nick Manzitto
Assistant Treasurer
Heidi Crawford
Website
Brandon Mueller
Volunteer Coordinator
Cambreea Perry
Craft Fair Coordinator
NEEDED