Cheldon Williams
West Virginia University
BIO
Dr. Cheldon Williams holds the positions of Associate Director of Bands and the Director of Athletic Bands at West Virginia University. Additionally, Williams teaches Music Arranging for Public School Groups as part of the undergraduate music education curriculum. Prior to his appointment at W.V.U., Williams earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from Florida State University in 2004 and 2014, served as Associate Director of Bands at New Mexico State University in 2016, and earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Texas at Austin in 2020.
Dr. Williams works as a guest clinician and adjudicator for middle and high school bands, orchestras, and color guards across the United States. His research involves providing developing teachers and directors with the tools to assess the quality of ensemble music performance. Williams is also currently arranging and transcribing music for the wind band medium with the goal of introducing musicians to composers who have been historically underrepresented due to their race or gender, a project titled the Rediscovery Series (published through Murphy Music Press).
Zach Cheever
Austin Peay State University
BIO
Dr. Zach Cheever is currently the Interim Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Austin Peay State University. In this role, Cheever teaches the Symphonic Band, Governors Own Marching Band, and Pep Band. He also teaches courses in music theory and aural skills. Prior to APSU, Cheever was the Associate Director of Bands at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he taught the Symphony Band, The Legend Marching Band, and courses in music education and music theory. He has also held positions at Trevecca Nazarene University and with the Colorado Brass Band.
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 premiered by groups such the University or Colorado, Central Arkansas University, and The Baylor School. His doctoral transcription Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) by Missy Mazzoli is available through G. Schirmer.
Dr. Cheever earned a Doctor of Music Arts in Wind Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado-Boulder, a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Austin Peay State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition from Trevecca Nazarene University. His teachers include Don McKinney, Greg Wolynec, John Schnettler, and Matt Dockendorf.
