In Memoriam

Janet H. Graham, Ph. D.

November 14, 1946-April 6, 2006

For seventeen years Dr. Janet Graham was Organist/Minister of Music at Memorial Presbyterian Church where she played the 90-rank, Aeolian-Skinner organ. A native of Miami, Dr. Graham received a B.A. in Church Music/Organ from Pfeiffer University . N.C. and her Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Oregon and her Ph.D. from the University of Florida . An ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church , she studied for two years in Germany in conjunction with the International Center for Music Education and sang and traveled with two of world-renowned German conductor Helmuth Rilling's choirs.

During her twelve years of full-time music ministry in churches in North Carolina , she served as choral director for several community theatre musical productions: Oliver, Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma , Godspell. She returned to Florida where she served churches in Gainesville and Ocala while working toward her Ph.D.

During her years at Memorial Presbyterian, the Chancel Choir has performed major works with orchestra by J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Buxtehude, Mozart, Pachelbel, Schubert, Saint-Saens, Faure, Rutter. and Peters. The children's choirs have presented nineteen major musical productions.

Dr. Graham served for ten years on the E.M.M.A.-St. Augustine Concert Association Board and was recently named Honorary Director. She played synthesizer for the Sound of Music at Florida School of the Arts, Camelot and Nunsense with Ancient City Theatre, Hansel and Gretel with First Coast Opera, and was choral trainer for the Limelight Theatre's Henry Flagler-Empire Builder.

She conducted the annual St. Augustine Community Chorus Messiah/Holidoy concerts for fourteen seasons. Dr. Graham played synthesizer in the orchestra for their annual 'Pops' concerts for 10 years. She directed the Flagler College Singers and has sung with First Coast Opera. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, and a life member of the American Choral Directors' Association.