Dr. Dale Farmer (Current)
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Dale Farmer received the Bachelor of Science and Master of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Teaching in Choral Music Education from Auburn University. As a student at Auburn, he was a member of the Concert Choir, Marching Band, and was a founding member of the Auburn University Singers.
Dr. Farmer has taught middle, junior high, and high school choral music, music theory, music history, and drama in public schools in Americus, and then Tifton, Georgia. His choirs consistently received superior ratings at choral festivals, and he was selected Star Teacher on two different occasions.
At Auburn, Dr. Farmer has supervised music education interns, taught elementary music methods classes, music skills, music appreciation, and has conducted the Men's Chorus. He has conducted the Auburn University Singers since 2006.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Farmer has served as choral clinician, adjudicator, and curriculum consultant. His professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. For nearly 34 years, he worked for Delta Air Lines as a flight attendant, in-flight instructor, and field service manager.
Dr. Thomas R. Smith (Founder)
Dr. Thomas R. Smith, Professor Emeritus of Music at Auburn University, retired as Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Auburn University in 2006. After receiving the Bachelor of Music from Samford University, the Master of Arts in Music Theory from the University of Iowa, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado, Dr. Smith came to Auburn University in 1972, where he taught choral music-related courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2000, he became Chair of the Department of Music, a position that he held until his retirement.
Dr. Smith also founded and conducted the Auburn University Singers and also conducted the Concert Choir. He conducted two concerts in Carnegie Hall in New York City and has conducted nine European concert tours with the Auburn University Concert Choir and University Singers. Under his direction, the Auburn University Singers and Concert Choir have performed at four Southern Division Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. In 2005, the Auburn University Singers performed for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Los Angeles.In 1998, Dr. Smith received the Frances P. Moss Choral Directors Award from the Alabama Vocal Association and was presented the Paul Stewart Service Award in recognition of his work in the music ministry. In 2008, Dr. Smith was inducted into the inaugural class of the Alabama Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. As an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, Dr. Smith served as Southern Division president and has served as Program Chair for three divisional and four national conventions for the organization. At the Southern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Louisville, Dr. Smith was honored by his colleagues as recipient of the 2008 American Choral Directors Association Award of Excellence. Dr. Smith continues to serve as Minister of Music at Providence Baptist Church in Opelika, a position he has held for the past 34 years. He is also conductor of the Alabama Singing Men.
For more on how the AU Singers got started, read our biography.