The mission of The Choral Society of West Georgia is to advance the art of community choral singing through high artistic standards, innovative programming, collaboration, and outreach.
The Choral Society of West Georgia was founded in 2005 by Artistic Director, Elizabeth Biggs, to offer excellence in choral music performance in a community choir setting. The all volunteer choir has gained momentum well beyond its initial suburban reach, now drawing singers and audience members from throughout the West Georgia and East Alabama areas. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is the rehearsal and official residency site of the Choral Society of West Georgia. The multi-generational ensemble represents a rich cross section of the community population and continues a history of successful and innovative community choral events and programming.
Additionally, the ensembles have recently represented the community with performances in Lincoln Center and twice in Carnegie Hall. Internationally, members have performed in both Dublin, Republic of Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Andrew Harry is an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Point University where he is the Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Director of Choral Activities, and piano instructor. He serves First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange as Director of Music and Organist where he leads the chancel choir and handbell choir. Andrew also serves as the Artistic Director of the Csehy Summer School of Music in Langhorne, PA, and is the Music Director of the Choral Society of West Georgia.
Andrew holds an artist diploma and master’s degree in piano performance from Columbus State University where he studied with Alexander Kobrin and Henry Kramer. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in higher education leadership. Andrew and his wife, Amanda, have four children, Dillon, Erie, Cyrus, and Piper.
Elizabeth Biggs is founder and former music director of the Choral Society of West Georgia. Retiring as music director in 2022, she is now the artistic director emeritus of the organization.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, she holds vocal music/music education degrees from the Converse College School of Music in Spartanburg, S. C. and a Masters from Columbus State University.
She taught for twenty-eight years as a choral music educator in the Troup County School System, was a former music instructor at West Georgia Technical College and adjunct music education faculty at LaGrange College.
She is currently the discipline expert for The Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts in Montgomery, Alabama which facilitates teacher education through the fine arts across the Southeast. For more than ten years, Mrs. Biggs performed with Cantus Columbus, a professional vocal ensemble and has studied at both the Juilliard Summer/Choral School and the Rene Clausen Choral School in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Qiao-Shuang Tracy Xian is an award-winning classical pianist with a lifelong career in performance and over 20 years of teaching experience. Her playing is praised for its sensitivity, refined touch, and interpretive depth. An active soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator, she performs regularly across the Southeast. Tracy Zian currently teaches piano at Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts in Columbus, Georgia, where she is devoted to mentoring the next generation of young musicians.
Mark Ladd, President
Don Eisenbarth, Immediate Past President
Toni Anderson, Vice President
Kathryn Scholl, Secretary
Pat Graben, Financial Officer/Treasurer
Rhett Barnwell
Ginger Burdo
Lauren Collins
Sylvia Hunter
Paula Sharp
Samantha Sick