Director of Music- Jon C. Peterson, DMA
jpeterson@fumclr.org

Dr. Jon C. Peterson has had the joy of serving on the First Church team since September 2008. Prior to moving to Little Rock, Jon served as Director of Music at Christ Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona since 2005. While in that position Jon also taught at The University of Arizona School of Music, served as a staff accompanist for the Tucson Girls Chorus and sang in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus. In 2007, Jon was named a finalist at the ACDA National Conducting Competition in Miami, FL. Originally from Houston, TX, Jon has also served Texas churches in Houston, Denison and Dallas. In 2010, Jon received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona with a minor in Historical Musicology. He also holds the Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University's Meadows School of the Arts, Dallas, TX; and a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Music from Austin College, Sherman, TX.

Jon's wife, Karen, is part of the Physical Therapy team at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) and is extremely active in First Church’s Ministry of Music. Jon and Karen are the proud parents of Ian Edward Peterson who was born on June 27, 2010.

Interesting Facts:

Favorite Bible Verse:
Colossians 3:16 -- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Favorite food:
Mexican Food (Tex-Mex to be exact...sorry native Arkansans!)

Favorite pet:
Well, I’m definitely more of a dog person, but I have become quite fond of a certain feline that I frequently refer to as my “step-cat.”

Favorite activities:
Cycling, cooking, wine-tasting, traveling, composing

Favorite place to visit:
I love traveling, but I probably have the most fond memories of my trips to Spain. I originally spent a summer there as an exchange student and have been back a couple of times since. What a terrific country and culture...and the food is remarkable!

Favorite tree:
I would have to say the dogwood. Every spring, my grandmother asks me, “Have you seen the dogwoods in bloom?” What a beautiful tree and an even more beautiful memory!

Special memory:
I suppose that I was destined for worship leadership and that, perhaps, I knew this as a young child. When we would have family meals at our house for the holidays, I would set up a “pulpit” in the living room and lead the family in songs, prayer, readings from the Bible and who knows what else. I’m thankful for their patience with me during these extended events!