UNK Pride of the Plains announces 2026 members, performance schedule
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney Pride of the Plains Marching Band has announced its 2026 season schedule, beginning with Thursday’s home football game against Wayne State College.
In addition to performing at all UNK home football games, the Pride of the Plains will take part in the annual UNK Band Day Parade on Sept. 19. The parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Kearney.
Other scheduled performances include the UNK Homecoming Parade on Oct. 3 in downtown Kearney and Nebraska State Bandmasters Association State Marching Contest on Oct. 24 at Kearney High School.
The band’s 2026 shows feature music from “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Chicago: The Musical.”
The Pride of the Plains is directed by Brian Alber. Tyler Hawk serves as co-director and drum line instructor, and Adrienne Rall is the color guard coordinator. Drum majors are Samantha Bursaw of Ravenna and Raegen Hillman of Grand Island.
Pride of the Plains 2026 Performance Schedule
Aug. 27, 6 p.m. – Loper Football vs. Wayne State (Foster Field)
Sept. 19, 10 a.m. – UNK Band Day Parade (Downtown Kearney)
Sept. 26, 1 p.m. – Band Alumni Day/Loper Football vs. Washburn (Foster Field)
Oct. 3, 10 a.m. – UNK Homecoming Parade (Downtown Kearney)
Oct. 3, 2 p.m. – UNK Homecoming and Loper Football vs. Pittsburg State (Foster Field)
Oct. 17, 1 p.m. – Loper Football vs. Missouri Southern (Foster Field)
Oct. 24, TBD – Exhibition, Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Contest (Kearney High School)
Oct. 24, 1 p.m. – Loper Football vs. Northwest Missouri (Foster Field)
Nov. 7, 1 p.m. – Loper Football vs. Fort Hays State (Foster Field)
Pride of the Plains Marching Band Members
Ainsworth – William Biltoft
Amherst – Riley Riessland
Beatrice – Abigail Trantham
Bellevue – Addison Hedin
Broken Bow – Asher Jensen, Cole Waterhouse
Columbus – Emma Anderson, Ally Gaver, Trey Hackett, Alena Hruska, Joey Kallhoff, Cherish Moore,
Levi Moore
Cozad – Lorenzo Levario
Decatur – Addy Salazar
Fairbury – Daniel Deras
Fremont – Allison Reade, Caitlin Reade, Zoey Smallwood
Fullerton – Elena Reimer
Gothenburg – Lathan Buesing
Grand Island – Molly Graybill, Raegen Hillman, Kaden Milby, Isabelle Swanson, Ben Thurston, Hannah Weeks
Hastings – Maecie Pfeil, Peyton Smith, Logan Vraspir
Holdrege – Kylie Burken, Alexis Gill, Matthew King
Kearney – Andrew Bartling, Elizabeth Daily, Savannah Mast, Harrison McClure, Oliver Priest, Avery Reitz, Ike Smith, Jordan Vitales
Kenesaw – Jaydn Jackman
La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht
Lexington – Kimberly Lainez
Lincoln – Sydnee Ackerman, Gracyn Jozsa, Grace Knievel, Meagan Konz, Sierra Sheil
Loup City – Cole Russell
McCook – Aaron Frank
Minden – Evan Porter, Jaina Sharkey, Kaitie Vahl
Neligh – Raegan Home-Pedersen
Norfolk – Ashley Janise, Brayden Woodard
Ord – Colin Rice
Orleans – Brianna Jorgenson
Page – Logan Bradshaw
Plattsmouth – Kristyn Holman-Quello
Ravenna – Samantha Bursaw, Avery Hoard
Scottsbluff – Alyanna Gonzales
St. Libory – Rafe Mendyk
St. Paul – Sidney Gawrych
Western – Jenna Woitalewicz
Lawrence, Kansas – Annie Shew
Goose Creek, South Carolina – Hazel Rose