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Hello, South Charlotte! This is Mrs. Jocelyn Pharr Thompson, your chorus teacher. This is my 38th year teaching, my 29th in CMS and my 4th year teaching at the middle school level. All my teaching experience has been at the high school level. Previously, I have taught Choral Music, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Music Appreciation, and Piano at Providence, West Charlotte, Mallard Creek and Garinger High Schools. I am a 1974 honor graduate of Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia, North Carolina. I earned the Bachelor of Music (piano principal) and the Master of Music (with emphasis upon accompanying and education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After receiving my Masters Degree in Music, the arts positions across the state were cut for teachers with three years or less experience. I started my career in education as a teacher's aide in the 2nd grade in Gastonia. In January of 1981 I stepped out on faith and took a teaching position at Camp E-Ku-Sumee in Candor, North Carolina with the Eckerd Wilderness Youth Alternatives, Inc. as a classroom teacher for 8 though 16 year old boys. I taught English, math, science, social studies, art and physical education to boys who'd been referred to the camp via social services, mental health agencies, public schools and juvenile justice agencies. After teaching for three years, I went back to UNCG and earned the Master of Education (with certification in BEH/LD/EMR) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In October of 1985 I was promoted to the position of Educational Coordinator for Camp E-Ku-Sumee. I came to Charlotte Mecklenburg as the first chorus teacher at Providence High School in the fall of 1989.
Since April of 1990, I have been in music ministry at Memorial Presbyterian Church here in Charlotte. In the summer of 1996 I took on the position of Director of Music/Organist, where I oversee the chancel choir, men's choir, women's choir, youth and children's music ministry, and instrumental ensemble. I continue to be an active clinician in the state and region. I am an active member of the Piedmont Chapter of Links, Incorporated, Zeta Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), NAfME (National Association for Music Educators),and NEA . I teach private piano and voice at home and at church. I have been married to Minister Sherman Bradford Thompson for 32 years and we reside in Gastonia with our precious akita, Sasha. Regretfully, I wasn't blessed to have biological children so I really pour myself into the development of your children. I look forward to growing the choral department here at South Charlotte. South Charlotte Middle School has a rich choral history dating back to 1992. I look forward to participating in the rejuvenation of choral music in the Shocker Family. |