New Band Teacher, Doug Ramsey

From Auburn High School, to the United States Army, to the University Of Nebraska at Omaha—the new and young band teacher has done it all. 

Mr. Douglas Ramsey grew up in Auburn, NE, and attended Auburn high school.  Soon after graduating he enlisted in the United States Army as a mechanic.

Along with being in the Army, Ramsey also was taking general classes at Peru State College.  He started taking classes at UNO shortly after.  However, because of his Army services it was difficult for him to get his degree in a short amount of time.

Ramsey first intended on getting his degree as a vocal music teacher.  However, over time he changed his degree to instrumental.

Shortly before finishing up his degree, Ramsey was informed of a band teacher (Mr. Koopmann) inquiring for some percussion help at a high school.  He contacted Yutan and soon found himself helping out the band program when he got the chance. 

Because of Mr. Koopmann’s resignation Ramsey was an appropriate candidate for the job, and was soon hired.  

“I’m excited to be here, this is a good school, and the kids are really great!”

Ramsey does have a few new rules in the band room.

“When the bell rings it’s time for class to start,” said Ramsey.

All in all Mr. Ramsey is excited to be here, and his only fear is that his alarm clock won’t go off in the mornings.   

The band’s first competition is October 6th at the Harvest of Harmony and Ramsey couldn’t be more excited.

2006-2007

Kevin Koopman

By Sierra Peterson

Influencing lives and creating memories are only two of the great things that come along with teaching, but there comes a time when even educators need to step back and look at their priorities. Yutan band director Kevin Koopmann has recently examined his priorities and announced his resignation.

Koopmann has been teaching at Yutan High School for five years. He has helped the bands at both the high school and the elementary grow strong foundations. It will not be easy for him to say goodbye, but Koopmann has been doing some “soul searching” and decided to head in a new direction.

“I will probably not be a band director anymore,” Koopmann said.

Koopmann would like to pursue his master’s degree, and also participate in his daughter’s senior year. He has not always been able to attend his daughter’s activities due to band commitments and would like to change that in the coming year.

“Each year I miss several events that are at the same time, such as district music contest, state speech, and next year it will be graduation,” Koopmann said.
Even though Koopmann will be able to attend his daughter’s events, he will still miss the students and staff at Yutan High.

“This is a diamond in the rough,” Koopmann said. “We have the best administration combined.”
Over the course of his five years here Koopmann has brought many new things to the program such as jazz band, marching band and more concerts. He has directed the band to many awards, but that is not what he considers his greatest accomplishments.

“Having a lot of students in band,” represents a highlight for Koopmann.
Koopmann gives the credit for the band’s successes to the students.
“We are a family who works things out together,” Koopman explained. “I’m just along for the ride.”

For Koopmann it will be a bittersweet goodbye. He has many memories at Yutan High School such as running into Rod Henkel’s parked car when it was the only other car in the parking lot, or the time when Jordan Zauha drank so much pop that his clarinet reed stuck to his mouthpiece.  Koopmann will miss Yutan High School, but most of all he will miss the people.

Band students spend chilly mornings marching outside

By Kelsey Miller

Going around the track half awake in the freezing cold doesn’t really sound like the way you would want to start your morning, but for the Yutan band students, this is how they prepare for competition.

This year the Yutan High School band prepared itself to compete against bigger schools at the Labor Day Parade in Omaha.

“To prepare the students for the competition, I had them memorize music, work on their horn carriage, and tried to pump them full of enthusiasm,” said band director Kevin Koopmann.

The band competed against schools such as Omaha Northwest, Bryan and Fort Calhoun.

The band was only .3 points away from winning first place at the parade competition.

“I had a mix of emotions.” Koopmann said. “I was very proud that we can take on schools from Omaha and be that close when they are double our size.”

The drum major this year for the Yutan High School band is Whitney Nelson. Nelson, a junior at Yutan, has been involved in many activities besides band over the past years. Some of those include the musical, one act, the all-school play and choir.

“Being the drum major can be difficult sometimes because you have to be able to control everyone and keep everything together,” Nelson said.

Yutan’s band has grown a lot throughout the years, but it is still small compared to other schools around here.

“Marching band is all about power and numbers,” Koopmann said.

The band has undergone many changes throughout the years. Some good changes include new base drum carriers and three piccolos this year, which is good for the sound of the band. But the band has lost numbers in the trombones and baritones.

“I’m very proud of the band and what they have accomplished. The next big thing is the flag corp,” Koopmann said.