Musical Mentor: Metteer earns state honor for helping Southeast musicians succeed

April 1, 2025

The story of R.J. Metteer can best be told by the hundreds of people he has influenced, supported and encouraged during his time at Southeast High School.
 
The Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) paid tribute to Metteer for his three decades of teaching service this winter with the Donald A. Lentz Outstanding Bandmaster Award. The Lentz Award is the NSBA’s top honor and is given to only one person each year. It recognizes recipients for a lifetime of going above and beyond in their band classrooms.
 
More than 100 parents, co-workers, fellow band directors, current and former students and current and former administrators watched Metteer accept the award. They patiently waited in a hallway outside the ballroom before NSBA officials surprised him with the honor.

 
NSBA President Matt Rom and NSBA Marching Chair Marques Eckhoff said they were impressed with the number of well-wishers at the ceremony. They said it illustrated Metteer’s gift of creating long-lasting connections with Southeast students and families.
 
“I think it really goes to show how as band directors, like most teachers, we have the ability to positively influence lives and create lasting cherished memories for so many students, usually much more than we realize,” Rom said. “I think seeing all of those people there was likely deeply meaningful and moving for R.J., and also serves as a reminder for others, especially younger directors, that what we are doing does matter, even when the going gets tough!”
 
“Seeing the overwhelming support for R.J. during his award ceremony was incredibly heartwarming and a testament to his impact on the community,” Eckhoff said. “His dedication has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among musicians, and it’s evident that his influence extends well beyond Lincoln Southeast.”
 
LPS Supervisor of Music Amy Holloman was among the crowd of people cheering for Metteer. They applauded as NSBA leaders read testimonies from students, parents, band teachers and community members. The 57-page nomination packet featured dozens of supportive letters from people living across the country.
 
“Hearing some of the nomination letters read aloud filled my heart with joy and made me proud to work with such a great educator,” Holloman said.

 
Northern State University President Neal Schnoor was one of the primary nominators for the award. Schnoor was band director at Northeast High School in the 1996-97 school year and served as the University of Nebraska-Kearney’s band director for nearly 13 years.
 
Schnoor said Metteer “may be without parallel in terms of mentoring the next generation of music teachers and musicians” in Nebraska. More than 30 Southeast alumni and student teachers are now leading their own school music programs, and many former Knights are enjoying successful music performance careers.
 
“R.J.’s impact is simply immeasurable considering that each of these individuals will influence thousands of students and audience members throughout their careers,” Schnoor said.
 
Metteer began working at Southeast in August 1995 and soon developed high-quality music programs. He has led concert, symphonic, jazz, marching and pep bands and wind and chamber ensembles at the school, and the Knights have been a consistent force at district, state and national levels. Southeast students have performed at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, Orange Bowl in Miami, Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Essentially Ellington Festival in New York City and many other locations.

 
Rita Bennett has volunteered at the NSBA State Marching Band Contest and Capitol City Marching Band Championships for nearly 20 years. A former business and English teacher at Southeast, Bennett began observing Metteer’s professionalism when her daughter joined Southeast’s band program in 2007. She said his devotion to musical activities has meant the world to many people.
 
“In working closely with R.J. all these years, I can attest he is the most humble person I know, never wanting the limelight for himself, but continually making decisions about what is best for his students while providing a quality instrumental music experience that elevates LSE and LPS,” Bennett said. “His sense of humor and his easy manner are a great balance for the technical skills required of an excellent band director while he encourages student learning and growth.”
 
Lincoln Southeast Band Boosters President Chris Crocker and Vice President Brooke Biggs said they have watched Metteer teach lifelong skills such as punctuality, patience, leadership, problem solving, integrity and work ethic. Hundreds of Knights have used these lessons to compose successful lives with their families, friends and careers.
 
Southeast alumni Andrea Coleman and Amber Rothchild are examples of this learning-based legacy. Coleman joined Southeast’s music program in 1996 and became involved in wind ensemble and marching, jazz and pep bands. She has been a full-time chorister with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for the past 11 years.
 
Rothchild played with the Marching Knights from 2008-12 and became inspired to follow Metteer’s path into the educational field. She now teaches math at Southeast and has seen how his influence on students has spilled over into other subjects.
 
“What stands out most is Mr. Metteer’s genuine care for each student,” Rothchild said. “He takes the time to understand individual strengths and challenges, offering support and encouragement that extends beyond the music room.”
 
“This is Mr. Metteer’s heart – that every kid be given a chance to learn and love instrumental music,” Coleman said. “And to his many current band members, his door is always open to those who need an extra hand, who may be struggling with a particular piece of music or who may need a confidence boost.”
 
The story of R.J. Metteer can be summed up with an account of friendship and compassion that goes beyond the conductor’s podium. Glenn Nierman is past president of the National Association for Music Education and former associate director of the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His son attended Southeast and was involved in a serious car accident during his junior year. Soon after Nierman’s family had rushed to the hospital to see him, they met a familiar face who expressed his unwavering support.
 
“Shortly after we arrived to check on his condition, there was R.J. to offer help and encouragement,” Nierman said. “He got up in the middle of the night to come and be with us. This kindness will never be forgotten.”
 
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