Our Musical Staff
John Barr,
Organist
John
Barr (b. 1938) graduated
with a B.S. degree from Manchester
College and with S.M.M. and S.M.D.
degrees from Union Theological
Seminary, New York City. He was
music teacher at Hillcrest School
for Missionary Children, Jos,
Nigeria and then Organist-Choir
Director at University Presbyterian
Church, Madison, Wisconsin. He
has been on the faculty of Bridgewater
College as Professor of Organ and Piano
since 1968 and has been organist
at the Bridgewater Church of
the Brethren since 1971. John
is married to Ann Lootsma and
they have two grown children
and one grandson. Photo above by Denny Eye
Curtis Nolley (b. 1953) joined our Staff as Director of the Sanctus Choir in the fall of 2008. He is a graduate of Bridgewater College (B.S. in Music Education), and received his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
He has been a music educator and church musician for over thirty years. For twenty-two years he served as Minister of Music at Harrisonburg Church of the Brethren. Having taught at all levels in Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Curtis currently serves as music specialist at Keister Elementary School in Harrisonburg City. In addition to his church and school responsibilities, Curtis is in his ninth season as director of the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society and serves as Vice-President of the Virginia Music Educators Association. He is married to Andrea Mose Nolley and they have one son, Ryan.
Photos by Denny Eye
Mary Beth Flory, Pianist
Mary Beth Flory has been pianist since 1971 with the exception of
one year (1978-79). She is a graduate of Bridgewater College
(BS in Music Education) and James Madison University (Master
of Music). She taught public school elementary music from 1970-73.
She continues to teach private piano lessons which she has done
since 1973.
Mrs. Flory joined the faculty of Bridgewater
College in 1989 as an adjunct faculty member teaching private
piano. She has served as accompanist at district choir auditions,
City/County Choir, American Choral Directors Association college
division and pianist for the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.
Each year Mrs. Flory accompanies college junior and/or senior
recitalists, something she has done since a student at Bridgewater
College.
Jim Benedict, Bell Choir Director
Jim Benedict
received instruction in conducting at Oberlin College. He also
worked briefly with Robert Shaw and more extensively with Paul
Christiansen of Concordia College, MN. He has directed church
choirs in Amherst MA, Emory, VA and most recently he directed
the Dayton United Methodist Church adult choir for 12 years.
Jim Benedict began his leadership as the
Bridgewater Church of the Brethren Youth Hand Bell Choir Director
in the Fall of 2001.
Joyce Grove and Jan Flora are directors of the Youth Orff Ensemble.
Teresa Crawford is director of our Children's Ensemble.
Curtis Nolley , Sanctus Choir Director 