Justin Eisenmann plays the accordion for the Nebraska All Around Polka Band Saturday in Morse Bluff. The band features area high school and early college age musician

Youth polka band keeps beat going for next generation

by Jason Futch
Published 8/12/26

The hills are alive with the sound of music.

In this particular case, the hills are the Bohemian Alps, and the music, of course, is polka.

For nearly a decade, the Nebraska All Around Polka Band has been bringing the lively sounds of polka music to community events, retirement homes, hospitals and celebrations throughout the area.

What began about 10 years ago with a handful of musicians – five to be exact – has grown into a group of roughly 15 members, with musicians coming from communities such as Morse Bluff, North Bend, Clarkson, Dodge, Prague, O’Neill and Schuyler.

At the center of it all is Morse Bluff native Rollie Otte, a longtime polka enthusiast who has spent much of his time surrounded by the music.
His introduction to polka music came during his high school years at North Bend High School, where he graduated in 1959. At that time, the NBHS band was under the direction of Bob Olsen, who is also a member of the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame.

“At the end of every practice, we would play the Tinker Polka,” Otte said. “That was the last song of the day when we had practice.”

After graduating from NBHS, Otte played with the White Horse Polka Band before leaving for the U.S. Air Force. Years later, he returned to music through the North Bend Community Band and eventually began playing with the Eddie Malina Polka Band. Otte played with him for approximately 20 years before eventually starting the group that would become the Nebraska All Around Polka Band.

The first time the band played together was at the 2017 Old Settlers. The reception, according to Otte, was strong enough to convince the musicians they had something worth continuing.

Since then, the band has performed at venues and events throughout the area, which also included the Fremont Opera House.

One of the group’s most important features is its youth component.
The Nebraska All Around Polka Band is made up entirely of high school and early college-aged musicians. While Otte, who directs the band and picks the music, is the exception, the younger musicians are the heart of the band. They are also tasked to keep the band going by helping recruit the next generation of polka musicians.

Otte said it was important because keeping the group going can be a challenge.

“Kids age out,” he said. “They’ll move on to college and we’re still lucky to have some come back to play. You’ve got to be recruiting all the time.”

One of the members that have been a part of the group for the last couple of years is saxophonist Breauna Rasmussen. She became involved after Otte recruited her.

“He asked if I wanted to play polka music, and I said yeah,” Rasmussen said. “I’m Czech and love polka music.

After receiving her binder of music, Rasmussen practiced the pieces, which led to her considering the band a “perfect match.”

Rasmussen, an NBC Class of 2026 graduate, was surrounded by polka music growing up in Prague. It is something she wants to carry on to her family generations.

Right now, she attends Wayne State College and plans to take part in the polka band during the summers. When she is at college, she is part of the college band and is majoring in music education.

Fortunately, the young musicians often recruit their own friends, classmates and siblings which helps alleviate any concern of a musician shortage.

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