PHS Band Members In Masonic All-Star Band

Six Pierce High School students were among 101 high school students from across Nebraska who participated in the 30th annual Masonic All-Star Marching Band, which performed Saturday, June 6, during Shrine Bowl festivities in Kearney.
Participating were: front row, left to right: Addison Frye, daughter of Dustin and Hollie Frye; Maya Johnson, daughter of Jeffery and Julie Johnson; Elliot Vanness, son of Eric and Sandra Vanness; back row: Spencer Sindt, son of Mike and Kelli Sindt; Andrew Lienemann, son of Timothy Lienemann; and Trinity Christiansen, daughter of Travis and Hollie Christiansen.
The band members devoted four days of intense practice starting Tuesday, June 2, to learn the music, marching steps and field formations. The band gave their first public performance with a public concert at Harmon Park on Friday evening, June 5. The band led the Shrine Bowl Parade on Saturday morning, June 6, and it also performed the pre-game National Anthem and during half-time of the Annual Shrine Bowl football game at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium, on Foster Field, at the University of Nebraska, Kearney.
The band members were hosted by the Masons of Nebraska, and were directed by Brad Weber, retired Band Director from Wayne High School, currently Instructor of Percussion at Wayne State College, Dr. Dave Bohnert, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Wayne State College; and Dan Sodomka, Band Director at Aurora High School. Christiansen received a scholarship from Ken and Pat Beebe; Frye received a scholarship from Beulah Chapter OES No. 40; Johnson received a scholarship from Wahoo Lodge No. 59; Lienemann received a scholarship from Tangier Shrine Directors Staff; Sindt received a scholarship from Newman Grove Lodge No. 305; and Vanness received a scholarship from Dan Wellendorf. The scholarships covered the cost of the camp.
“We demanded a lot of the students during the past week,” Weber said. “They responded professionally and worked very hard, practicing between seven and eight hours per day. That was evident by the high-quality shows they performed Friday and Saturday. There’s no doubt these young musicians are among the best in the state. It was an honor to see their hard work come together in their performances.”
The members also enjoyed evening activities consisting of a game night under the stadium lights, a dance, and bowling at the Big Apple Fun Center. Many are looking forward to the opportunity to apply the instruction provided by the band directors when they return to their respective high school bands.
“The Masonic All-Star Marching Band continues to be an important and valued part of the Shrine Bowl tradition,” said Mike Jones, Grand Master of Nebraska Masons. “The memories of new friends and performing together on various occasions is a lasting memory. They also understand the main reason for the long hours and hard work. Patients at the Shriners Hospitals for Children will benefit the most from the band’s efforts this past week. We sincerely appreciate their contribution to raise awareness and funds to enable the Shriners to help even more children.”
“Masonic lodges across Nebraska support local youth and community projects, humanitarian efforts including a child identification program, academic scholarships, and efforts to support our military,” Jones said. “At the statewide level, the Grand Lodge helps to maintain two homes: The Nebraska Masonic Home at Plattsmouth for Masons and their female relatives, and the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont. The combined philanthropic efforts of Masonic-related organizations amount to more than $2 million a day.”
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world that bases itself on the code of ethics of the builders of King Solomon’s Temple. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska is dedicated to “men putting ethics into practice.” Supporting, operating, and participating in the Masonic All-Star Marching Band Camp is one of the ways they put those ethics into practice.
Next year’s Nebraska Masonic All-Star Marching Band Camp will run from May 31 through June 5, 2027.