Dr. John Bannon
John has conducted for over thirty years as an adjunct to his career as a musical performer. He is the Timpanist Emeritus of The Florida Orchestra, and teaches at the Kinhaven Music School, Hillsborough Community College, and St. Petersburg College, where he has conducted the band and orchestra for ten years.
He has also served as timpanist of orchestras in Anchorage, Oklahoma City, Mexico City, Honolulu, and the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder. John received his early musical training in the public schools in Anchorage, Alaska and St. Petersburg, where he graduated from Northeast High School.
John earned degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of South Florida (BA), the University of Michigan (MBA), and in Instrumental Conducting (DMA) from the University of Miami.
Derek Weston
Derek Edward Weston serves as Director of Music and Senior Director of Ministry and Church Operations at St. Petersburg First United Methodist Church, where he has been a valued member of the staff since 2011. A lifelong advocate for music, education, and the life of the church, Derek brings more than three decades of experience as a conductor, educator, and ministry leader.
Before joining St. Petersburg First full-time, Derek spent twenty years as Assistant Principal and Director of Choral Studies at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. His career in music has also included serving as Director of Music at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Visiting Director of Choral Activities at Eckerd College, Artistic Director of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale, Conductor of the Richey Community Orchestra, and conducting positions at Eastern Illinois University. He has conducted choirs, orchestras, and bands throughout the United States and abroad.
Derek holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Orchestral and Choral Conducting from Eastern Illinois University, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University. His passion for music, worship, education, and community continues to shape his work and ministry.
Derek lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Gwenn, and their daughter, Grace. Their son, Gregory, serves in the U.S. Army and is currently stationed at Fort Polk.