Larry D. Smith, lyric baritone and professor of music, is in his 21st year as voice professor, and also in his 21st year as director of music at the First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Smith earned his bachelor and master of music from the University of Mississippi and the doctorate of musical arts degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. An active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Smith serves as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator regionally, nationally, and internationally, and also performs as vocal soloist in recital and oratorio. In July 2003, he was founder and co-conductor at the inaugural international Loire Valley Handbell Festival in Pontlevoy, France and the European Handbell Festival 2004 in The Netherlands and Germany. In July 2005 he will co-conduct the European Handbell Festival Italy.