FourOmaha, UNO’s undergraduate woodwind quartet, was hired to perform at the KVNO Classical Kids awards ceremony and concert on Saturday, October 30, 2021. The group performed transcriptions of classical masterworks as well as original pieces by Peter Schickele and Gordon Jacob for attendees as they entered the auditorium. Patty Ritchie (Assistant Conductor of OAYO) was in attendance and wrote a note afterwards about her impressions:

“I heard the most invigorating music. It filled the beautiful newly appointed Strauss lobby with soaring sonority. The woodwind quartet added so much to an already beautiful fall day. Their professionalism, in music and demeanor, positioned next to the recently installed artwork, made me reflect on all of the growth UNO School of Music. How utterly classy.”

Coached by Dr. Christine Beard, FourOmaha was founded in 2018 and consists of members Dakota Valle, flute; Christine Robino, oboe; Myra Coveney, clarinet; and Hunter Holoubek, bassoon. All four are music education majors at UNO, and the ensemble will become a trio in Spring 2022 as Hunter will be the first to student teach. Their final performances as a quartet will be a series of holiday concerts at local venues in December.