Marjorie Johnston has served as Director of Music since January of 2017. Previously, she held long tenures in Episcopal churches in Huntsville, AL, and Chicago, IL, leading comprehensive music programs involving both adults and children. She has prepared and conducted two choir tours through Great Britain, and is on the editorial staff for The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians. Before coming to First Presbyterian, she served in interim Director of Music roles for St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago, IL, and St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN, helping to restore musical excellence and morale to ministries that had experienced difficulties.

Marjorie spent 17 years of her career in Chicago, pairing her musical talents with administrative skills at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, serving as Associate Chorus Manager and Music Librarian. As a professional choral singer with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Marjorie performed under the leading conductors of this generation, participating in Grammy award winning recordings and on the soundtrack for the Steven Spielberg movie, Lincoln. She also sang with the Grant Park Music Festival, the Chicago Bach Project, and the Bach Week Festival, where she was Assistant Director of the Chorus.

A native of Florence, AL, Marjorie earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and her Master of Music degree in choral conducting, both from the University of Alabama. She also plays the flute and enjoys a side career as a professional cocktail pianist. Aside from her musical interests, she enjoys running and supports animal welfare. Margie can be reached by email at mjohnston@fpctusc.org.