About Mr. Schmit

Nolan E. Schmit (1969) is a 1993 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in composition. He received his Master of Music degree with the same emphasis in May of 2003. He was twice awarded the Ida M. Vreeland award for outstanding achievement in composition from the University of Nebraska, was teacher of the year at Orchard, Nebraska in 1995 and was the 1998 recipient of the Jack R. Snider Outstanding Young Band Director Award, given by the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association. In 1999, Nolan received the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award from the Nebraska Music Educators Association. In addition to serving as the general music specialist at Arnold Elementary School, Mr. Schmit is an assistant band director at Lincoln East High School, is an adjunct professor of music at Doane College in Crete and York College in York, Nebraska and has the privilege of being the Voice of the University of Nebraska, Cornhusker Marching Band.

Nolan's educational interests include conducting, composition, curriculum and instruction, giftedness, and music technology. In addition, he enjoys time with family and friends, sports, nearly all genres of movies, Star Wars trivia, traveling, cooking, history and cycling. Mr. Schmit, the founder and Executive Director of the Nebraska Composers Alliance, is a published composer of band and choral music through the Neil A. Kjos Music Company of San Diego and The Lorenz Corporation of Dayton, Ohio. His works have been performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Writing primarily for concert bands, choirs and brass ensembles, Nolan continues to receive several commissions each year. Nolan is married to Barb and they have two daughters, a son, and a calico cat named Claudia.