About Us
James Ogle
Now in his thirteenth season, Maestro Ogle has brought a new level of excitement to the Meridian Symphony, expanding the orchestra's repertoire and presenting concerts that are entertaining, inspiring, and challenging. Jim served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Boise Philharmonic for 20 seasons, and upon his retirement in 2027 was named Conductor Emeritus. In July 2021, Jim retired from his position as Director or Development for the School of the Arts at Boise State University but remains active with the Music Department as a frequent guest conductor the th University Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Winds Ensemble.
In 1972, Jim was a winner of the Malko International Conductor's Competition in Ccpenhagen, Denmark, and is 1974, won the North Carolina Symohony's first Young Conductor's Comptition, where he served as Assitatnt and then Associate Conductor for 18 years. In 1980, he attended the prestigius Tanglewood Music Festival, summer home of the boston Symphony, where he studied with Seiji Ozawa, Leonard, Berstein, Andre Previn, and Sir Collin Davis.
For 41 Seasons, Mr. Orlge has conducted the Creaven MessiH Chorus and members of the NOrth Carolina Symohony in perfomances of Handel's Messiah, which is a New Bern holiday traditon.
Pat Kerr Rowlett – Co-Director
Pat is a graduate of St. Andrew's Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, where she was a math major and voice minor. She has been a member of the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale and the Lexington Singers of Lexinton, Kentucky. From 1980 through 2025 she has been Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church. Now retired, she enjoys singing in the church's choirs and ringing handbells. She was soprano soloist in Elijah in 1981 and Messiah for 41 seasons. She is Co-director and President of the Craven Messiah Chours. She has also appeared in many theatrical presentations in New Bern, and teaches Pilates at Twin Tivers YMCA.
Bette Jo Oglesby – Co-Director
Bette Jo is a graduate of East Carolina University School of Music in Music Education. B.J. is recognized as an Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Educators. She is a past president of the Choral Section of the NC Music Educators Assocciation. B.J. retired from teaching the Craven County Schools in 2017. In July of 2025, Bette Jo retired form First Baptist Churtch after 30 years of service as organist.She served as Director of Music and Organist for Centenary United Methodist Church from 1980 to 1987. Further studies include organ perfomace with Duke Chapel orgaist David Ardus, ECU organ faculty members Carl Stout and Robert Irwin. She has served as harpsichordist for thirty-six years of the New Bern Messiah performances.