Moore County Community Band

Cheryl, a southwestern Ohio native and salutatorian of Miamisburg High School, launched her 47-year teaching career immediately after earning her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Her dedication to music education spanned diverse roles in Dayton and Vandalia Public Schools, encompassing K-8 band, general music, choir, theatre, and handbells. As her family relocated, she continued to inspire students in Virginia and Michigan. Beyond the classroom, Cheryl enriched her community as a music director for churches and co-director of Kettering Children’s Choir. Her contributions were recognized with multiple “Staff Member of the Year” awards, “Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year,” and the proclamation of “Cheryl Theis Day” in Vandalia, Ohio, honoring her dedication to teaching and leadership in a successful $500,000 auditorium renovation campaign. Students under her direction were also invited to prestigious performances at state and national music educator conventions. Today, Cheryl remains a committed community volunteer, supporting the West Pine Middle School Band, performing with MCCB and NHB, and mentoring Odyssey of the Mind teams. Above all, she cherishes family time with her husband, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 3 spoiled rotten chugs.

Mollie Wilson grew up on a farm in central Pennsylvania. In the summer after fourth grade, she began instrumental lessons and has played ever since. During high school, Mollie became director of the Mapleton Community Band, and soon after, she attended Pennsylvania State University. Most of her teaching career was in the Pocono Mountains in the beautiful town of Milford, PA, where she was a band director for more than thirty years. Along with directing bands, Mollie served as drama director and musical director for decades at Delaware Valley School District.
Retiring to the Sandhills to escape the cold, snowy winters, she continues her life of music, participating in many local performance groups, and is the director of New Horizons Band in the Pines. Mollie is also the proprietor of Pine Gables of Aberdeen Bed and Breakfast.

Dr. David Nelson dedicated 33 years to higher education, serving as a respected professor at both the University of New Orleans and the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Following his retirement in 2020, the University of North Carolina System recognized his contributions by naming him Professor Emeritus of Music.

Dr. Nelson’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Music cum laude from the University of Michigan and two graduate degrees—a Master of Music and a Ph.D.—from Northwestern University.
A versatile conductor, he has led a wide range of ensembles, from university bands and wind ensembles to professional orchestras to the longest-performing community orchestra in Louisiana. His conducting for the theater includes operas by Mozart and Puccini and musicals by Sondheim and Kander & Ebb. He currently enjoys playing bass clarinet with the Moore County Concert Band since January.