Pat K. Rowlett — Director of Music
Pat Kerr Rowlett is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina. She is the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. At St. Andrews, she was a Math major and a Music minor and sang in the College Choir. Pat taught mathematics at Andrews High School in High Point, N.C. for three years. She worked at the University of Kentucky in Lexington for two years before moving to New Bern. In July of 1980 Pat became Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of New Bern, directing the Sanctuary Choir and Chorister Choir. Since that time, the Confirmation Choir, Kinderchoir, Preschool Choir, Daybreak Choir, Sanctuary Bells, Westminster Bells, and Bells of Joy have been added to the Music Program. She is co-director of the Craven Messiah Chorus, which has presented Handel’s Messiah since 1981.
You may contact Pat via email at pat@firstpresnb.org
Vance Harper Jones — Organist
Vance Harper Jones Organist of First Presbyterian Church since January 1977, Vance Harper Jones is a native of Washington, N. C. He earned both B. Mus. and M. Mus. degrees at the University of Miami (Florida) and holds the M. Ln. degree from Emory University. He also took graduate courses in musicology and art history at UNC-Chapel Hill. Vance has performed over 75 organ concerts in several states. In 1995 he played for the national convention of the Organ Historical Society in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 2005 Jones retired as Dean of Library Services at Craven Community College after 29 years. An avid figure skating fan, Vance frequently attends national and international competitions. His hobbies include kerosene lamps, old furniture, and restoring the Wade House (1843). He is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
Susan Mabie — Director, Resurrection Singers
Susan received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is also a member of Pro Musica of New Bern, a vocalist with “Middle Street Moods”, an easy listening/jazz group, and does theatre work from time to time. She works at Fuller’s Music as manager of the print music division. She has been a certified fitness instructor for 30 years and currently teaches at the Twin Rivers YMCA.
Cindy Sutton — Accompanist, Resurrection Singers
Cindy Sutton, a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Music Education, now does her music on the side and spends most of her time as the owner of Village Travel Shop. Any other spare time is spent as “Mom” to BB, her very special papillion and ruler of the house, and still “newly-wed” wife to Otis.
Dru Wilkins — Music Assistant
In addition to being Pat’s assistant, Dru is a new RN after years of teaching art, early childhood and reading in preschools and elementary school. Her last teaching position was at Craven Community College as an instructor in the education department teaching teachers. She currently works at Merci Clinic and subs in the Craven County Schools as a school nurse. Dru loves to read, travel, (her list is long) and go to the beach with her family and is eagerly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild. Upon Ken’s retirement, they hope to do medical mission work together.
Maggie Wright — Music Assistant
Maggie received her Bachelor of Music Education majoring in Piano from James Madison University, Master of Music from East Carolina University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music. She has the Orff-Schulwrk Level II certification as well. Maggie is currently a music teacher at Graham A. Barden Elementary School in Havelock and gives private piano lessons and is an amateur harpist. She is a member of Craven Messiah Chorus and does community theatre whenever possible. She is mom to Timothy Owen Wright, who is married to Stacey ‘Cat’ Wright, and she is soon to be a granny.