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The Auburn University Singers is a highly select auditioned show choir of 36-42 singers and 12 instrumentalists. The group was founded in 1972 by Dr. Thomas R. Smith who envisioned adding an extra dimension to music at Auburn, that being choral entertainment. We have since had over 1000 Auburn Students become AU Singers. Now under the direction of Dr. Dale Farmer, himself a Singers alumnus, with instrumental direction by Dr. Michael Pendowski, the group makes itself available as requested to civic and service organizations, campus groups, churches, special events, and communities.
As one of seven choral ensembles at Auburn, the group presents two major productions at the end of each fall and spring semester. Philosophically, the ensemble functions in a spirit of sharing, and is always in the perpetual pursuit of musical excellence. In addition, the choir is centered in abundant tradition both within the group and in its performances. Believing that excellent choral singing and instrumental accompaniment are of utmost importance, AU Singers seeks to provide choral entertainment for all ages with diverse musical styles including Broadway, pop, country, classical, vocal jazz, and the new pop a cappella style. In a spirit of enhancing its rich tradition, songs known as "Singers Classics," which have been performed through the years, are integrated into each production. For each production, a select group of performances known as "solos" are prepared by the current AU Singers and selected by our Director to highlight the talent and personality of the current group.
Since its formation, the Auburn University Singers has been in constant demand, performing for television specials, conventions, community concerts, and various campus events. The group has entertained guests from all over the US and abroad. In 1974, the Singers made its first trip overseas by taking the message of music and friendship to the people of communist Romania, and has since traveled on eleven other occasions to Europe, Canada and Latin America. Other summer tours have included special performances in Opryland U.S.A., the President's Park in Washington, D.C., Rockefeller Center and Lincoln Center in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver. In addition to the concert tours, the Auburn University Singers has performed with many celebrities including Bob Hope, Anita Bryant, George Lindsey, Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys. In 1984, 1992, 1994, and 1998 the group was invited to perform at the Southern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Atlanta, Savannah, Knoxville, and Charleston, respectively. While on the 1995, 2001, 2003, and 2006 tours in New York the group appeared on NBC's the Today Show. In February 2005, the Singers performed for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Los Angeles. On its 2010 and 2016 tours, the group performed at the Russell Senate Building in Washington, D.C. In 2017, the group did a concert tour of Italy, and in 2019, of Montreal, Canada. There have been several performances at Walt Disney World, most recently in May of 2022.