Childers, Brian
Brian Childers is an accomplished composer, conductor, and clinician. His choral, instrumental, and handbell works have been performed frequently in churches across the nation and abroad. He has been a featured performer and clinician at numerous music conferences and workshops across the region. Brian’s compositions and arrangements are published by a variety of publishers and number in excess of 100. He has received the Concert Music award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for the last two years. Brian is a member of ASCAP, American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Choristers Guild, and the Handbell Musicians of America.
He began piano studies at an early age. He, like so many young students, begged his parents to let him quit studying piano while in Middle School. His parents finally relented, and that was what sparked his creativity…he discovered he had a gift as a composer and within a year, he returned to the piano so he could improve and hone his craft as a composer.
Brian has completed commissions in the concert band, choral and handbell and piano genres. He has several large works to his credit and has a special love for sacred music and hymnody. Brian enjoys the opportunities to work with others in creating and shaping music through commissions, festivals and guest conducting engagements.
Brian received his bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Appalachian State University in 1993, and the master of divinity degree in church music from the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University in 2003. An ordained minister, he serves as minister of music at First Baptist Church in Mount Holly, North Carolina. Brian directs multiple vocal and handbells choirs and the church orchestra. Among Brian’s favorite groups is Drastic Measures, an advanced children’s handbell ensemble that rehearses three times each week. This group of children performs regularly throughout the community and across the state. Brian has two children, Hannah and Spencer. He is a rabid fan of the San Antonio Spurs and enjoys reading and running in his free time.