Aaron Garber is the Founder, Conductor, and Music Director of The Chorus of the Blue Ridge (formerly Salem Choral Society), and the Conductor and Music Director of the Jefferson Choral Society.  Mr. Garber recently served as the Director of Music at College Lutheran Church, where he was the choir director and organist for eleven years.  In the past, he has worked on the adjunct music faculty at Roanoke College and Hollins University.

Aaron remains active as a conductor and composer.  Premieres under Mr. Garber’s baton have included his own major works Magnificat, Jesus, Son of Our Father, Job, Mass for Peace, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, all scored for full orchestra, chorus, and soloists.  Other conducting credits include Handel’s Messiah, the Dubois’ Seven Last Words, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, The Prince of Peace Is Come by Christian Gregor, Rutter’s Gloria, the Fauré Requiem, the Duruflé Requiem, and the Mozart Requiem.  Aaron Garber made his debut as guest conductor of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra in 2011, conducting the commissioned premiere of his Dies Irae and the Dvorak Te Deum. 

Aaron was asked by Rotary International President, Kalyan Banerjee from India, to compose the 2011-2012 theme song for Rotary International.  The theme song “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” was premiered by Aaron in San Diego in January, 2011.  Rotary International is a world-wide service organization with 1.2 million members in over 160 countries.

            Mr. Garber won the 2001 Raymond W. Brock Student Composition Contest, a national contest held in conjunction with the American Choral Directors Association.  The winning composition, Stabat Mater, an a cappella choral work, was premiered at the ACDA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas, in March, 2001.  The compositions of Aaron Garber have been heard throughout the United States and abroad, and he is published by Concordia Publishing House and Augsburg Fortress Publishers.                 

            Aaron Garber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Bridgewater College, VA, where he was named 2007 Young Alumnus of the Year.  He also has a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  In 2007, Mr. Garber was chosen for Who’s Who in America and the City of Salem named May 6, 2007 “Aaron Garber Day."