PFC Church

Director of Music at St James

Janice Devine has been our Director of Music since 2013. Janice is a music teacher inJaniceDevineDirOfMusic two local schools (piano, singing and violin – main instruments) and has a vast experience of conducting several secular and church choirs and holds many musical qualifications in teaching, performance and choral direction. She was nominated for Music Teacher of the Year (2012) and has been presented to HRH Prince of Wales on completion of specialised music teaching qualifications at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Janice has also studied with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM)

Since her appointment at St James, Janice has facilitated choir members to undertake the RSCM Voice for Life studies which underpins choral singing with music theory. Many members have since passed their RSCM Bronze, Silver and Gold awards since her arrival. These are formal Singing exams run by the RSCM. Choristers wear their medals each Sunday and their successes have been celebrated at Merton College, Oxford at a special Evensong.

Aside from rehearsing the choir and directing music at most services, Janice plans the music for the parish, attends marriage preparation courses to help couples choose suitable music, and is a member of the Worship and Liturgy Committee. She is also responsible for gathering, ordering and retention of sheet music, choosing new repertoire and choir attire. More recently, risk assessments due to Covid have  been a key role, studying guidance to ensure the choir are as safe as possible.

She is very grateful to be blessed with two deputies who are also professionally trained in choral conducting. In addition to this Janice really appreciates having 2 young junior choir leaders and an adult also with professional qualifications in voice who help lead the Junior Choir, Senior Choir members are a fantastic support also.