Our Mission

The mission of the Sandlapper Singers is to celebrate American choral music and advance the art of ensemble singing through performance, education, and outreach.

Our Vision

The Sandlapper Singers will be a leading arts organization in the Midlands and throughout the State of South Carolina, enriching the lives of our singers, our audiences, and our communities through the choral arts.

Core Values

Excellence – Maintaining artistic and professional standards of the highest caliber.

Inclusivity – Embracing and promoting diversity across all levels of our organization, reflecting the complexity and range of American music itself.

Mentorship – Providing high-quality learning experiences and performance opportunities for student singers.

Collaboration – Forging partnerships with artists, educators, community partners, and businesses in pursuit of mutual goals.

Innovation – Pursuing creative, new approaches to the achievement of our mission.

Integrity – Operating an effective and trustworthy organization as stewards of the resources provided to us.

Our History

The Sandlapper Singers was founded in 1996 by its first artistic director, Dr. Lillian Quackenbush. At the time, Lillian was completing a doctorate in music at the University of South Carolina and looking to expanding her musical horizons as a choral conductor. With support from her husband and co-founder, Dave Quackenbush – along with a group of friends who agreed to help organize a board of directors and a cadre of gifted singers who entrusted their talents to Lillian – the Sandlapper Singers came to full bloom.

Now entering its 26th season, the Sandlapper Singers is poised to reach even greater heights. The Sandlapper Singers is dedicated to presenting American choral music of the highest caliber and advancing the art of ensemble singing through performance, education, and outreach.

Join us. Together, we’ll celebrate the joy of American choral music, and pass it on for generations to come.