Tommy Krueger began his teaching career in the Westside Community Schools District in the fall of 2016, serving for eight years as the Director of Bands at Westside High School. In 2024, he transitioned to the roles of Director of Jazz at Westside High School and Elementary Band Teacher for the district. Prior to Westside, Mr. Krueger taught in the Seward and Central City Public Schools.

Mr. Krueger earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his Master of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the summer of 2021.

As an educator, Mr. Krueger has extensive experience in all facets of music education, from large ensembles to small groups. He has served as a clinician for numerous marching and jazz bands in the Omaha and Lincoln areas and has been on faculty at the UNO Jazz Camp, teaching jazz improvisation, jazz history, and big band. Mr. Krueger has presented sessions at the NMEA Fall Convention on several occasions. Under his direction, the Westside Concert Jazz Band was a featured group at the NSBA Spring Convention in both 2018 and 2024. In 2019, he received the NSBA Jack Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award. He previously served as the Jazz Chair for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and is currently the Director of Jazz Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

As a performer, Mr. Krueger is an active trumpet player in both classical and jazz genres throughout the Lincoln/Omaha area. He was the 2010 Nebraska Young Jazz Artist Award Winner and the runner-up for the 2011 Lincoln Municipal Band John Shildneck Young Artist Competition. He has performed with the Jim Widner Big Band, the Marcus Lewis Big Band, and the UNO Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band.

Outside of his musical pursuits, Mr. Krueger enjoys golfing, ultimate frisbee, and spending time with his wife, Cassie, and their three children: James (5), Liz (3), and Carter (5 months).

Professor of Music

Concordia University

A native of Alamosa, CO, Dr. Robert Cody attended Concordia University, NE, where he majored in K-12 music education. He received his master's degree in music education (conducting emphasis) from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in 2020. He is currently pursuing a D.M.A. in instrumental conducting at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Dr. Cody has over a decade of instrumental conducting experience, including work with all ensembles at Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson, WI. He has also conducted the Hartford City Band in Hartford, WI, and the Lakeshore Symphonic Band in Cedarburg, WI. As a presenter and clinician, Dr. Cody travels throughout the state and country, sharing his passion for musical excellence.

Dr. Cody is married to Katelyn (Sievert), and they have three children: Eleanor, Liam, and Eliza. Outside of his musical pursuits, Robert enjoys being a father, spending time outdoors, and studying theology.

Director of Bands

Wayne State College

Dr. Josh Calkin is Director of Bands at Wayne State College. He is a professor in the Music Department whose duties include directing the Wildcat Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble, and Mariachi Oro y Negro. He also teaches all applied low brass and low brass methods, world music, and instrumental conducting. Calkin lives in Wayne with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter MacKenzie.

Calkin holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Plymouth (N.H.) State College, a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from Boise State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Tuba Performance from the University of Iowa.

Calkin maintains an active performing schedule, both as a recitalist and in area ensembles. Recent solo appearances include recitals at the 2017, 2013, and 2011 Great Plains Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conferences, the 2017 Midwest Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba Conference, and the 2017 Tuba Euphonium Conference of the Rockies, and guest appearances at Cornell College, Hastings College, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He also recently appeared as a featured soloist with the Sioux City Municipal Band, the Buena Vista University Concert Band, and the Bishop Heelan High School Concert Band. Calkin is the tubist with the Sioux City Symphony Brass Quintet and A Touch of Brass, Principal Tubist with the Sioux City Municipal Band and Nebraska Brass Band, Substitute Tuba with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, sousaphonist with the Crazy Eight Brass Band, and trombonist with the Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble.

Dr. Calkin is also a sought-after clinician and teacher. Recent highlights include serving as guest clinician with the Nebraska Class C All-State Band, the Northwest Iowa Bandmasters’ Honor Band, and the Wayne State College Honor Band. He has also adjudicated for the Northeast Jazz Festival and Nebraska District Music Contest.

Calkin is a member of the International Tuba-Euphonium Association, the International Trombone Association, the Nebraska Bandmasters' Association, and the Nebraska Music Educators' Association. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national band fraternity. He is a 2004 inductee into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and was the recipient of the 2006-2007 Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award at the University of Iowa. He has studied tuba with John Manning, Michael Fischer, Thom Untersee, and Matt Walters. He has also studied trombone with James Chesebrough and conducting with Marcellus Brown and Gary Corcoran. Calkin is an Adams Custom Brass Performing Artist and plays Adams tubas.

In his spare time, Calkin enjoys golfing, reading, cooking, and home renovation projects. He is active in the Wayne Community Theatre and Corinthian Lodge #86, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Education

DMA, Tuba Performance, University of Iowa, 2015
M.M., Tuba Performance, Boise State University, 2004
B.S., Music Education, Plymouth State College, 2002

Academic Interests

Dr. Calkin's academic interest centers around tuba performance - his dissertation was on transcribing art songs for use as beginning lyrical etudes for young tubists. His teaching interests include low brass, jazz, and marching band. He is dedicated to fostering the next generation of musicians.