Wesleyan Honors Bands
The 2026 ߲ݴý University Honors Bands will bring together students from across the region to form two bands that will rehearse and perform with ߲ݴý’s band director, Dr. Zach NewCheever and guest conductor, Dr. Derek Stoughton. One band will be an audition-based group, and the other will be nomination-based. Students in both groups will rehearse and perform with Dr. Stoughton and Dr. NewCheever.
Selected students are responsible for completing a registration form, including a $50 participation fee. Students are expected to prepare the music in advance of the festival.
Audition and nomination submissions will be accepted until the end of Friday, December 5, 2025.
Audition-based “Wind Ensemble”
Nomination and Audition process will be available on September 17th, 2025.
Nomination-based “Symphonic Band”
Nomination and Audition process will be available on September 17th, 2025.
Our Conductors
Derek Stoughton
Dr. Derek Stoughton serves as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Arkansas. In this role, he directs both the Bear Marching Band and Purple Rage Basketball Band, serves as conductor of the Symphonic Band, and teaches courses in Music Education. Prior to his appointment at UCA, Dr. Stoughton served as Interim Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Spirit of the Southland Marching Band. Dr. Stoughton was also the conductor of both the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, director of the Basketball Pep Band, and observed student teachers during their residencies in public schools.
Dr. Stoughton taught in the public schools of McKinney, Pflugerville, and Austin, TX, before moving to the collegiate level. Ensembles under his direction were consistent sweepstakes award winners at UIL contests and other festivals across Texas. Dr. Stoughton has also taught and coordinated percussion at both the middle and high school levels, and his students have reached the area level of the Texas All-State audition process.
As a composer/arranger, Dr. Stoughton has written for various mediums, including Concert Band, Athletic Bands, Marching Percussion, and Percussion Ensemble. He is currently published by Murphy Music Press, DevMusic, and DCS Productions.
Dr. Stoughton holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Wind Conducting & Literature from the University of Colorado-Boulder, the Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from Oklahoma State University, and the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education a nd Music Studies & Human Learning from The University of Texas at Austin. His primary conducting teachers were Dr. Donald McKinney, Dr. Joseph Missal and Dr. Robert Carnochan. Dr. Stoughton has also attended conducting workshops with Prof. Jerry Junkin, Dr. Kevin Sedatole, Prof. Steve Davis, Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. Cynthia Johnson Turner, Dr. Tom Caneva, and Prof. H. Robert Reynolds.
Dr. Stoughton holds professional memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, as well as honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma.
Zach Cheever
Dr. Zach Cheever serves as the Director of Bands at ߲ݴý University where he conducts the Symphonic Band, teaches conducting courses, directs the Prairie Wolves Pep Band, and teaches other courses in music education. Previously, he served as the Interim Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at Austin Peay State University and as the Associate Director of Bands/Director of “The Legend” Marching Band at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to his academic appointments, Dr. Cheever was a doctoral conducting student at the University of Colorado and a graduate assistant in university bands at Austin Peay State University. During this time, he was involved in all aspects of the band programs, including the athletic bands and guest conducting all concert ensembles. At APSU, he was the director of the middle school band through their Homeschool Music Program.
Dr. Cheever is an active composer/arranger, drill designer, guest clinician, and adjudicator for groups across the country. He has presented clinics at several middle schools, high schools, and universities. His compositions and arrangements have been prem iered by groups such the University of Colorado, the University of Central Arkansas, and The Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. His doctoral transcription Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) by Missy Mazzoli is available through G. Schirmer. Dr. Cheever is currently on staff with Obsidian Winds (WGI Independent Open ensemble) in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Cheever holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in wind conducting and literature from the University of Colorado under Don McKinney; a Master of Music in instrumental conducting under Greg Wolynec; and a Bachelor of Music in music theory and composition from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Schedule
Thursday February 12
- 1 p.m. ߲ݴý Music Scholarship auditions (optional for seniors considering ߲ݴý) begin
- 2:30pm Check-in begins
- 4 p.m. Rehearsals and activities begin
- 6:15/6:45 p.m. Pizza party (included)
- 9:15 p.m. Adjourn
Friday February 13
- 9 a.m. Rehearsals and activities begin (lunch included)
- 5:30 p.m. Adjourn
Saturday February 14
- 9:15 a.m. Rehearsals and activities begin (brunch included)
- 2:30 p.m. Performance
- 3:45 p.m. Farewell
Repertoire
To be announced.