James W. Smith retired as Music Director, Organist and Choirmaster of the Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA in 2001 after teaching for thirty-eight years. He is a graduate of Westminster Choir College earning both Bachelor and Master degrees. He was appointed Resident Carillonneur in 1981 and continues in that position today. His teachers include Frank Della Penna and Edward Nassor. Mercersburg presents thirty-eight annual recitals and invites carillonneurs from all over the United States to participate in the series. Mr. Smith has played annual concerts in the mid-Atlantic area and toured Australia in 1996 playing recitals at Canberra and Sydney. For twenty-five years he was the organist for the Mercersburg Community Chorus and Orchestra and founded and directed the Mercersburg Chorale and a prize winning Women's Ensemble. In 2001 he won the Mercersburg Alumni Council Award for service and accomplishment. Mr. Smith earned full membership certification in the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2003 at Berea College, KY.