Jim Smith, Music Director
Jim Smith completed a Bachelor of Music degree at St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a Master of Music degree at West Virginia University. Postgraduate work in vocal and choral music has included studies at West Virginia University, Westminster Choir College, the University of Georgia, Smith College, Oberlin College, and Indiana University. Jim served as an Associate P
rofessor of Music and the Director of Vocal and Choral Activities at Peace College for many years. Under his direction, the Peace College choirs made seven tours of Europe. His voice students have consistently achieved success, winning or placing in the annual state and regional National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions. In 2009, Jim served as an adjudicator for the 61st Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, which annually attracts more than 150,000 students. During the four-week festival, he judged nearly 400 choirs and 600 vocalists, aged kindergarten through college. Jim served for fifteen years as the Director of Music at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh, and served year-long interim stints at White Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh and Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian in Cary. Jim is a member of the Master Chorale Chamber Choir, a professional choir of 22 singers in Raleigh. He has a wealth of experience in conducting, solo performing, and choral music. Jennie Vance, Accompanist
Jennie Vance joined the staff of First Presbyterian in August, 2005. Jennie is the former Coordinator of Music Studies at Peace College in Raleigh, where she taught classes in music theory, served as College Organist, and accompanied the department’s two choral ensembles, the Peace College Chamber Singers and the Peace College Choir. Jennie received degrees from Salem College and Yale University, and she also spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Vienna, Austria. Prior to coming to Rocky Mount, Jennie held organist positions at First Presbyterian in Sanford, Hudson Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh, and Raleigh Moravian Church.
