Joyce Eilers (July 28, 1941 ? June 2, 2009), is recognized as one of the top choral composers in the country, with hundreds of compositions and arrangements in her catalog, best-selling methods for teaching sight-singing, and for her mentoring of young composers. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1963 from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Oregon in 1967, where she specialized in Music Education. She taught in the Oklahoma public schools and in Oregon and Washington for ten years at both elementary and secondary levels and was an instructor at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. She was a popular visiting lecturer and clinician, appearing before many state music education conventions and universities including University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Boise State University, University of Michigan, Ohio State University, University of Kansas City-Missouri, University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, and Arizona State University. Her music is published by Schmitt Music, Studio PR, Heritage Press, Shawnee Press, Gentry Publications, Carl Fischer, Jenson Publications and Hal Leonard Corporation.