Jeffrey J. Thompson (Director of Music/Organist)

Jeffrey Thompson is a native of western New York. His early studies in music began with piano lessons at age four. He went on to learn violin, viola, and trombone as major instruments while in elementary and high school, and pursued advanced studies in vocal performance while in college. Although he did not initially receive formal organ lessons, Jeff was organist for a local United Methodist church while in high school, and from that experience developed a love of organ playing.

Jeff attended Houghton College (B.S. biology, class of 2001) where he studied voice with Kelley Hijleh and organ with Dr. Judy Congdon. He has pursued further organ study with Dr. David Bond of Buffalo, and is a past member of the executive board of the Buffalo chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

As Director of Music for Baker Memorial UMC, Jeff is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the music program. He has been organist of Baker since 2002, and leader of the Praise Team since 2003. He is also a frequent voice and organ soloist, and can be heard regularly with the Villa Maria Chorale, and annually in the East Aurora Advent Chorale's performances of Handel'sMessiah. More recently, he has developed an interest in composition, with several of his original works performed at Baker Memorial. Jeff is also one of the volunteer youth leaders with the Baker Youth Group.

In addition to his musical ventures, Jeff holds the Doctor of Medicine degree from SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine. He currently works for Professional Emergency Services as an attending physician at the Millard Fillmore Gates and Suburban Hospitals and is a Clinical Instructor of Emergency Medicine for the UB Department of EM. He is actively involved in the residency program and works part time at Buffalo General Hospital. He lives in Marilla with his "children" Scotch and Sammy.