Martha Lynn Thompson was the Organist and Associate Director of Music at St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 1969 until her retirement in July 2002 when she was made Organist Emeritus. Together with her husband, Feilx, they directed the handbell program which grew to include 13 bell choirs!
Martha Lynn is a 1962 graduate of Henderson State University and, in recognition of her outstanding career achievements, in 2011 she received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the University bestows.
In 1989 she was elected American Guild of English Handbell Ringers National Secretary and for two years served on its Board of Directors. In 1995 she was given the status of Master Instructor of Handbell Notation, and in 2001 she was made an Honorary Life Member – the highest honor bestowed by the Guild.
Martha Lynn has many published arrangements and transcriptions that range from music for the beginning bell choir to music for the most advanced choirs.
Coppers Classic is delighted to include Martha Lynn’s arrangement of the Leroy Anderson classic, Sleigh Ride in our 2018 repertoire.