Candace Syman-Degler was hired at Asbury almost 20 years ago. She gradually took over as music director and started the Asbury Singers as an alternative to a traditional church choir. The group's competence, confidence and numbers have grown as they practice and perform every Sunday. The opportunity to uplift and brighten people's days with fun music is something that Candace and her Singers treasure!

The Asbury Singers, who provide lots of music every single Sunday, were so inspired by their Lincoln Center experience in 2015 that they started a new group: The Asbury Singing Club. The Club includes community members who like to sing SATB music. It meets in a private home for an hour and a half every week; and they sing all kinds of music (including Pepper Choplin's). Many say the experience of singing with other people is the highlight of their week!

William C. Powell, professor and director of choral activities at Auburn University, teaches choral-related courses and conducts the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Men's Chorus, and Gospel Choir. His has conducted performances regionally, nationally and internationally. Powell also adjudicates choral festivals, and he has presented sessions for American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators, and others. His music is published by Hal Leonard, Oxford University Press, and Gentry Publications, which will release “The William Powell Choral Series” in 2017. He holds degrees from Alabama State University, Westminster Choir College, and Florida State University.

The Auburn University choral program consists of seven different choirs: Chamber Choir, Conductors’ Chorus, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, and University Singers (show choir). Throughout its history, members of the Auburn University Choirs have performed throughout various parts of the United States, Europe, and Russia. They have produced recordings, and have appeared on national television, radio, and other mass media outlets, and they have premiered works by nationally-recognized American composers. Collectively, the AU Choirs perform approximately fifty concerts each year, reaching thousands of audience members annually.

Quint Harris is the Director of Music & Arts Ministries at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL where he directs the Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, and Youth Choir as well as supervises the music staff. Prior to Vestavia Hills UMC he was the Director of Music Ministries at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in Phoenix, AZ. He has a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Alabama. Throughout his career Quint has directed on the Middle School and High School levels as well as part-time and full-time church music ministry. Quint is currently enrolled in the DMA Program in Choral Conducting at the University of Alabama under the artful guidance of Dr. John Ratledge, DMA.

The New Life Singers at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church is a 35 member Youth Choir that serves VHUMC and the surrounding Birmingham area through leading in worship, providing artistic concerts, and singing for local assisted living facilities and community events. The choir has an almost 40 year tradition of quality choral singing. The singers take an annual tour to a different location throughout the USA each May. This is the choirs second tour to NYC.

Bryant Moxley has served as Minister of Music and Worship at Wake Forest Baptist Church since 2014. He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he was mentored by Dr. Paul Hammond, Dr. George Keck, Dr. Milburn Price and Dr. Maurice Hinson. Mr. Moxley has served congregations in Virginia and North Carolina and previously served as Music Department Chair at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. Mr. Moxley is an active professionally as a clinician and adjudicator for regional festivals, camps and conferences and is a member of ACDA and the Hymn Society of America.

The Chancel Choir of Wake Forest Baptist Church is a 50 voice ensemble that provides music for two weekly services, seasonal concerts and community events. This non-auditioned choir consists of adults from all walks of life with various levels of formal training. The choir is united in its commitment to choral excellence and faithfulness in worship leadership as it presents worship music from diverse genres. The Chancel Choir has hosted Composer Weekends with Pepper Choplin, Benjamin Harlan and Joseph Martin and its members have commissioned anthems from various composers including Pepper Choplin, Jay Althouse and Sophia Pavlenko.

Judith White received a bachelor of science in music education from Capital University Conservatory of Music, Columbus, Ohio. She pursued graduate studies at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. She taught choral music at Norwood Middle and High School. Later she became choir director at Zion UCC. For 6 years she was a member of the Cincinnati May Festival Chorus under the direction of Robert Porko and James Conlin. Judith founded and directed the Norwood Community Chorus that won a Silver Award at the 2012 World Choir Games. She was inducted into her high school Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012.

The 18-member Zion United Church of Christ Chancel Choir is excited about participating in the upcoming 125th Anniversary celebration of its Church. The chorus has a long history of singing a wide variety of sacred anthems, and Pepper Choplin has long been one of their favorite composers. The members participated in the 2012 World Choir games in Cincinnati and received a silver award for their performance.