I am delighted to share the exciting news that Laura Ritter has been selected as our next Minister of Music! Laura is a gifted and versatile musician with a wealth of experience spanning church music, academia, musical theatre and children’s choirs. She is currently the Director of Music and Worship and Organist at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca, SC, as well as director of the University Choir and Women’s Choir at Anderson University. She is also the founder and artistic director of Young Voices of the Foothills, a community choir for children, which has three locations in Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.
Prior to moving to South Carolina, Laura served as Department Chair and Director of Choral Activities at Walters State Community College in her hometown of Morristown, TN, while also directing music at First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City, TN. She has worked extensively as a music director and accompanist for musical theatre productions with Encore Theatrical Company, Clemson Little Theatre, Centre Stage Greenville, and Clemson University.
Laura earned a Bachelor of Music from Furman University in Choral Music Education and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois. She has done further graduate work in Organ Performance at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Laura currently sings with the Greenville Chorale and is a member of the Herring Chamber Ensemble.
Laura is married to Greg, a human resources specialist who loves golf, singing and UTK sports. They have one son, Cameron, who lives with his wife, Madelyn, in Raleigh, NC.
Due to prior commitments she wishes to honor, Laura’s first Sunday with us will be July 13. The search committee felt that waiting a few extra months for the right candidate was well worth it! In the meantime, we are deeply grateful for Fred Defoor, who will continue serving as our capable and faithful interim until Laura arrives.
A heartfelt thank you to the Music Minister Search Committee—Beverly Lambert, Greg Crowe, Jane Morlan, Pam Jones, Robert Farrar, and Wesley Smith—for their dedication and hard work throughout this process!
With Joy and Anticipation,
Carol
First Baptist Greenville,
Becoming the Minister of Music at First Baptist Greenville truly feels like a “full-circle” moment as well as a dream come true. As a young child singing in the children’s choir at First Baptist Church of Morristown, TN, I was blessed to learn about worshipping God through music from some of the best church musicians in the field, and that blessing continued as I came to Furman University and studied with stellar music educators, including Charles Tompkins, my organ professor. After college, my work in Tennessee was fulfilling and satisfying, but always, in the back of my mind, I wanted to get back to Greenville, SC, and plug into this wonderful community that had been my home for four years during college. I have visited First Baptist Greenville many times over the years, and each time I have, it’s been evident to me that every moment of worship is crafted with creativity and a sense of wonder at what God can do in the midst of God’s people. To be a part of this wonderful congregation and worship with you each week is truly a “dream come true!” God’s timing is amazing. I can’t wait to meet all of you and get started on this new journey.
With Gratitude,
Laura Ritter