Music at Nebraska Wesleyan University

09/09/2026

This past weekend, members of the University Choir had a fun and heartfelt overnight retreat at Camp Carol Joy Holling. There, they learned a lot of their season’s repertoire, did fun bonding activities, and found common ground in their goals as an ensemble. They are very grateful for the support from their director, Tom Trenney, staff at Carol Joy Holling, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and the NWU Music Department. 🎵💛

09/04/2026

NWU University Choir will be having their annual choir retreat this weekend! We wish them safe travels and a wonderful time! 💛🖤

08/29/2026

University Choir had a great first week of rehearsals! It is so great to be back! 💛🎶

🎵Song: Let Everything That Hath Breath by Jeffery L. Ames

08/29/2026

High School Choir Directors are encouraged to submit nominations for students who would enjoy singing with guest composer/conductor/singer/songwriter Moira Smiley in our 2027 Nebraska Wesleyan University Honors Choir Festival. For more information on this February 4-5, 2027 event, please visit https://www.nebrwesleyan.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/music/honors-festival/honors-choir

08/26/2026

Thank you, Dolly.

Light of a Clear Blue Morning - Dolly Parton/arr. Craig Hella Johns...

07/20/2026

Please congratulate Cassi (Rippe) Vallis '16 as the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Young Music Alumni Award! We are so proud of the impact she has made as a music educator in Nebraska. Cassi will visit NWU this October during Wesleyan Weekend to be recognized for this honor and visit with our current music majors. Congratulations, Cassi!

See her full bio here: https://nebrwesleyan-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ewyler_nebrwesleyan_edu/IQA9q8PCmcQRTpRKf5LJPPtBAR8kPM_HPPmO_9VdgR93e30?e=L40u0o

07/18/2026

We had a wonderful, packed two days of All-State prep as we welcomed over 85 students from 15 area schools! It was great to work with David von Kampen on his piece Saturn’s Embrace. Thank you to the awesome directors who volunteered their time to help lead sectionals! Best of luck to all the participants as you continue your All-State journey - we are so happy to have been part of it!

07/09/2026

We are proud to recognize Dr. Donald Callen Freed (BM '74) as the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Music Alumni Award for his wonderful contributions to music, education, and composition.

A Nebraska native, Dr. Freed is a published composer, Professor Emeritus of Music at Sul Ross State University, and an accomplished educator whose career has inspired generations of musicians. His compositions have been performed by choirs across the country, and his scholarship and service have enriched the choral profession through publications, editorial work, and mentorship. Today, he continues to compose, perform, and teach while remaining deeply connected to the Nebraska musical community.

Dr. Freed exemplifies the creativity, excellence, and lifelong commitment to the arts that define Music at Nebraska Wesleyan. We look forward to celebrating him during Wesleyan Weekend this October.

Read Dr. Freed's full biography at the link here: https://nebrwesleyan-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ewyler_nebrwesleyan_edu/IQC2nVrxkZ5TSZx7bZfjMuuZAXeMBSdJrMWKb99pad1S80o?e=kuG0A5

07/06/2026

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir is honored to have been selected to perform for the Nebraska Music Education Association at the NMEA convention this fall. Highlights of the 2026-27 season will also include our annual celebration of Christmas with Wesleyan, a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Jake Runestad's "A Silence Haunts Me" with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, Craig Hella Johnson's "Considering Matthew Shepard" for Abendmusik at First-Plymouth, and a season-ending choir tour to Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, and Kentucky. It is a good time to make music at Nebraska Wesleyan University!

05/23/2026

We are excited to announce our new Director of Bands, Brent Echols! Please help us welcome Brent to NWU!

Brent's full bio can be found here: https://nebrwesleyan-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/ewyler_nebrwesleyan_edu/IQCcL6Cz5iloRJeXuy_GVh7SAXEw1IFgb0uwJcpI7meVoG8?e=4pIGQp