Music Program
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5th Grade Band Resources
5th Grade Band Concert- May 10th
?5TH GRADE INSTRUMENT SHOWING- SEPTEMBER 22nd- 7PM HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Dietze Store page for Wahoo
Click here for basic "How to's" on your instruments →Beginning Band BootcampDear 5th Grade Families,
This year your 5th grader will have the option of joining the 5th grade band. This letter is to inform you there will be a band meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 22nd in the High School Auditorium. There will be a brief presentation of the instruments from which the students may choose. We will visit about the opporutunities band presents, expectations, and provide general information. Dietze Music will be present at the instrument showing to provide options for renting or purchasing musical instruments. They will have instruments at the meeting available for pick up. They will also have the book Essential Elements Book 1 for sale.
The best scenario is for the students to have their own instruments. If cost is an issue, I do have a limited amount of instruments available through school. I will go over them at the meeting. Instruments available for students to pick are flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion.
It is great if you are able to order ahead online at: Dietze Store page for Wahoo but we understand if you want to come to the meeting to get more information before you decide.
If you have any questions about instruments or 5th grade band, do not hesitate to contact us by email – jsmith@wahoowarriors.org or arood@wahoowarriors.org.
Sincerely,
Jason Smith & Abby Rood
Band Directors
Wahoo Public Schools -
2026-2027 High School Band Dates
September
8- Volleyball Pep Band- Call time 6:15pm
11- THIS IS NOW AN AWAY GAME- NO PERFORMANCE THIS NIGHT-Football Halftime Show- Call time 6:15pm
15- Volleyball Pep Band- Call time 6:15pm
23- Conference Marching Competition- School Day
October
2- Football Halftime Show/Senior Night- Call time 6:15pm
3- Bennington Marching Competition- TBD
7- Palmyra Marching Competition- School Day
15- Volleyball Pep Band- Call time 6:15pm
17- Ashland- Oxbow Marching Competition- TBD
23- Football Halftime Show- Call time 6:15pm
24- State Marching Competition- TBD
26- Fall Band Concert- Call time 6:30 PM
November
TBD- Veterans Day Performance- School Day
25-27 All-State (if individuals auditioned and made it in)- TBD
December
5- Optional- Holiday Downtown Performance- TBD
8- Boys and Girls Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
14- Holiday Concert- Call time 6:15pm
15- Boys and Girls Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
January
12-Girls Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
18- Conference Honor Band @ Platteview High School(select students)- TBD
February
4- Boys and Girls Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
9-Girls Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
11- Boys Basketball Pep Band- Call time 5:15pm
March
3-6- Girls State Basketball Pep Band- TBD
8- Spring Concert -Call time 6:30pm
10-13 - Boys State Basketball Pep Band- TBD
April
23-24- District Music Contest-WAHOO HOST SITE
May
10- Pops Concert- Call time 6:00pm
16- Graduation- TBD
7/8 Grade Band Schedule
October
26- Fall Band Concert (6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
December
14- Holiday Band Concert (6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
January
18- Trailblazer Conference Music Event (select students)- TBD
March
8- Spring Concert (Band and Choir 6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
18/19 TBD- Malcolm Middle School Competition- TBD
May
10- Pops Concert (Band and Choir 6-12)Call time 6:00pm
6th Grade Band Schedule
October
26- Fall Band Concert (6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
December
14- Holiday Band Concert (6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
March
8- Spring Concert (Band and Choir 6-12)- Call time 6:30pm
May
10- Pops Concert (Band and Choir 6-12)Call time 6:00pm -
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6-12 Fall Vocal Concert - October 6th at 7 PM, call time 6:30 PM
6-12 Winter Vocal Concert/Show Choir Teaser - December 7th at 7 PM, call time 6:15 PM
6-12 Spring Vocal Concert - March 1st at 7 PM, call time 6:30 PM
Millard South Choral Invite - March 5th at 7 PM, call time TBD
6-12 Pops Concert- May 10th at 7 PM, call time 6:00 PM -
Royalty Dates:
Links Show Choir Competition (Lincoln High) - January 16
Tiger Clash (Hastings HS) - January 23
Southwest Showdown (Lincoln Southwest) - February 6
Palace Invite (Papillion La Vista HS) - February 13
Court of Champions (Wahoo) - February 20
Islander Invite (Grand Island SH) - February 27
Spring Concert/SC Finale - March 1st
*If a competition gets cancelled due to weather, potential make-up date on March 6th*
Majesty:
Echoes of the East (Gretna East HS) - January 22
Northern Lights (Elkhorn North HS)- January 30
Palace Invite (Papillion La Vista HS) - February 13
Court of Champions (Wahoo)- February 20
Clash of Titans (Lewis Central, Council Bluffs, IA) - February 26
Spring Concert/SC Finale - March 1st -
Wahoo Music Boosters
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CLICK HERE TO MAKE A BALANCE REQUEST
2026-2027 WPS MUSIC BOOSTERS CONTACTS
Julie Scott | Booster Club President
Mickenzie Thompson | Booster Club Vice President
Catherine Rafteseth | Booster Club Secretary
Taylor Wusk | Booster Club Co-Treasurer
Jason Smith | WMS/WHS Instrumental Director
(402) 443-4332 ext. 3302, jsmith@wahoowarriors.org
Annie von Kampen | WMS/WHS Vocal Director
(402) 443-4332 ext. 3301, avonkampen@wahoowarriors.org
Abby Rood | WMS/WHS Music Director, arood@wahoowarriors.org
(402) 443-4332 ext. 3302, Questions? Please email the Booster Club at wahoomusicboosters@gmail.com
MEETINGS
Music Booster meetings are generally held on the first Monday of every other month (September, November, January, March and May) from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the WHS Learning Lab.
WHAT IS A MUSIC BOOSTER?
If you are a parent of student in music at any grade level, then YOU are a MUSIC BOOSTER!
Music Boosters is an organization made up of parents who help with numerous music events,
fundraising and lend moral support to the Wahoo Music Department.
YOU are extremely important to our Music Department.
Follow us on Facebook at Wahoo Music Department for further information regarding our school programs and Music Booster events.
Mr. Jason Smith
BAND DIRECTOR
Jason Smith has been the 5th-12th grade Band Director at Wahoo Public Schools for the past 14 years. Prior to this position, he taught K-12 music at Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools. At Wahoo, Jason is responsible for co-directing the marching band, concert band, middle and high school jazz bands, and show band. He is also a staff member for the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music and is a regular substitute for the polka band Less Talk More Polka.
Jason received a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009, and his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Arts Integration from Wayne State College in 2021.
Jason is a member of NMEA, NSBA, and Phi Beta Mu. Under his direction, Wahoo has received the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) High School Music Participation Recognition for multiple years, the NSBA Academic Achievement Award, and the Best Communities for Music Education distinction. In 2021, he received the NMEA Music Educator of the Year Award. In 2023, he received the Nebraska VFW Teacher of the Year Award for grades 6th through 8th. In 2026, he received the NSBA Nate Metschke Outstanding Mid-Career Director Award and is currently a Quarterfinalist for the Music Educator Grammy.
In his spare time he enjoys golfing and spending time with his family- his wife Melissa and twin daughters Abby and Emily.
Contact information:
jsmith@wahoowarriors.org
Ms. Annie von Kampen
CHOIR DIRECTOR
My name is Annie von Kampen, am I am excited to continue at Wahoo Public Schools! I was born and raised in Omaha, NE prior to moving to North Platte, NE when I was in 8th grade. I received my Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2025. While at UNL, I played piccolo in the Cornhusker Marching Band for 3 years before serving as a Drum Major in my 4th and final season. I also sang in UNL Jazz Singers, UNL Chamber Singers, and performed in two musicals through UNL Opera and The Nebraska Repertory Theatre: “She Loves Me” (ensemble) and “Big Fish” (Josephine Bloom). I completed my student teaching experience in High School Choir at Elkhorn North High School under the direction of Casey Allen, and received the 2025 NMEA Outstanding Student Teacher Grant for my work there.
Outside of teaching, I am one of the co-founders and vocalists of LNK Vocal Jazz, an avid crocheter, and love to read!
Contact Information:
avonkampen@wahoowarriors.org
Mrs. Abby Rood
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Abby Rood is the 5th-12th grade Co-Band Director, as well as the Middle School Music Teacher for Wahoo Public Schools! Mrs. Rood also assists with the Spring Musical Production, leads the Color Guard and Winter Guard Squads, and is the current Wahoo Education Association President. She received a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2022, and is a member of NMEA and NSBA. Last year, Abby received the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award through NSBA. Abby and her husband, Michael, adopted two kitties over the summer named Arya and Tormund (Game of Thrones anyone?), and they are completely obsessed.
Contact information:
arood@wahoowarriors.org