The Lanier Chamber Singers celebrated their 20th anniversary Sunday with "Sing Joy," an 11-song selection that concluded their fall concert season.

Directed by Wallace Hinson, the Lanier Chamber Singers filled Grace Episcopal Church with gorgeous a cappella choral music from Johann Ludwig Bach to Dominick Argento. The choir was accompanied by organist Louise Bass, artist-in-residence at Piedmont College.

Priscilla Jefcoat, associate professor of music at Brenau University, is one of four charter members who began with the group.

"I love the fellowship and the camaraderie of other musicians in the community, and it's just so awesome to be able to make music together and share it with our audiences," Jefcoat said.

Over the last two decades, the Lanier Chamber Singers has received numerous honors, including the distinction of singing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, two performances at Spivey Hall, and performances at the regional American Choral Directors Association conventions in Memphis, Tenn., and Charleston, W.V.

Jefcoat has seen several changes within the singers over the years.

"The biggest changes have come with our new directors as they've come and gone," Jefcoat said. "We've had four or five directors over the course of 20 years and every director is different. It can sometimes be challenging but rewarding because we get something different from every director."

Last fall, Hinson, professor of music and chair of the Music Department of Piedmont College, took over directing the Lanier Chamber Singers.

"They were searching for a director," Hinson said, "I got a call from Keith Jefcoat, their executive director and one of the founding members, and he asked me if I'd be interested in auditioning for the position. The rest is history, as they say."

Hinson's favorite memories stem not from performances, but from the process of creating them.

"I enjoy rehearsing. I enjoy the challenge of learning a piece of music they haven't seen before and getting it to this point."

For senior nursing student Julie Singleton, singing with the Lanier Chamber Singers fits right into her schedule, along with two additional choirs through Brenau University. She hopes to continue with the choir after graduation.

The Lanier Chamber Singers is a nonprofit organization. All donations go toward musical scores, programs, publicity and funds for instrumentalists. The Lanier Chamber Singers will begin its spring performances in March. To learn more, go to www.lanierchambersingers.org.