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Joeseph Groom

1934–2019

In February of 2019, we lost an esteemed choral ent his choirs in international choral venues and to
director, advisor, teacher, encourager, and friend, who perfect his “pied piper” reputation as a consummate
with a joke, a smile, and twinkle in his eye, always musician, demanding excellence in his music mak-
helped to lift the spirits of all those who knew him. ing from his singers, as well as knowing all of their
He had a knack for seeing the “lighter side” of any names and hometowns. He loved to conduct the
situation and had a special nickname for those closest major works of the great masters, and convinced his
to him. Dr. Joe Groom was born on October 7, 1934, singers to bring this music to life. He returned as a
and passed away at Bethany House in Auburn, AL, guest conductor to UNA several times to conduct a
on February 3, 2019. gathering of his Collegiate Singers alumni. His gre-
He earned three degrees in music education from garious personality resulted in his singers calling him
Auburn University. He served as a choral director, “the Chief,” and he has imprinted lifelong choral and
band director, or music supervisor at churches and personal memories on thousands of his students and
schools in Eufaula, Opelika, Phenix City, Sheffi eld church choir members in the Southeast.
(AL), Columbus (GA), and Cookeville (TN). He re- Joe is survived by his wife of forty years, Mitzi, who
tired in 1989 after 23 years as director of choral activ- served as ACDA National President from 2003 to
ities at the University of North Alabama in Florence, 2005; son, Joseph; and daughters, Sam (Jimmy) Tay-
and followed his wife to Cookeville, TN, and Bowling lor, Louise (Michael) Cardoza, and Gwen Ingram;
Green, KY, before moving to Waverly, AL, in 2013 to eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; broth-
live the good life surrounded by family and old friends. er-in-law, Steve Danker; and nephews, Raymond
His career as a choral director allowed him to pres- Danker and Paul (Alix) Danker.

CHORAL JOURNAL April 2021 Volume 61 Number 9 41