Long-time Voice of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Michael Veak, passes away

calendar icon16 Jun 2017    

A long-time voice of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Michael Veak, passed away on June 15. His last season as the voice of the Pride of All Nebraska was 2002.

His obituary in the Lincoln Journal-Star included: A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a master's degree in music education and a major in pipe organ, Mike went on to 38 years of teaching instrumental music in the Catholic Schools and the Lincoln Public Schools. He retired from teaching in 2003. He was the organist at Holy Trinity Episcopal church, Cathedral of the Risen Christ and St. Matthew's Episcopal. 

Mike was the executive director of the Nebraska Music Educators Association; inducted into the NMEA Hall of Fame in 2003. He held multiple officer positions in music education organizations and enjoyed the many friends and colleagues he had made over the years. He held life-time memberships in the UNL Alumni Association and a charter member of the Band Alumni Association. For 30 seasons, Mike was the 'voice' of the Cornhusker Marching Band at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He enjoyed traveling to Switzerland at least once a year since 1991.

“I had the pleasure of working with Mike for my first five seasons with the Cornhusker Marching Band,” said Tony Falcone, Director of the Cornhusker Marching Band. “I and thousands of band members will always remember his unique voice ringing out with, “The Pride of All Nebraska!” as they took the field.

Current Voice of the Cornhusker Marching Band, Nolan Schmit, said, “Mike was a gentle soul, very kind and a perfect gentleman. He was always thrilled to share stories and photos of his many travel adventures to Switzerland.”

Assistant Director of the Cornhusker Marching Band Doug Bush added, “Although my time with the Cornhusker Marching Band started near the end of Mike's tenure as announcer, I quickly learned he was a gentleman and a professional behind the microphone. I also learned that because of his long history with the band, that any time he commented on my work with the CMB I needed to listen. A compliment really meant something.”

Director of Bands in the Glenn Korff School of Music Carolyn Barber said, “Like Doug, I only had the opportunity to get to know Mike briefly before his retirement. However, I quickly realized that his impact on the musical and educational communities of Nebraska was enormous. His presence and positive influence extended far beyond Lincoln.”

For a complete obituary follow this link: http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/michael-h-veak/article_c4d19ae0-01ed-5b8a-9f76-e7370efcefc1.html

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Cornhusker Marching Band at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Ste 300, Lincoln, NE 68508-2886.