Professor Jerry A. Bracey (’82 MME)  continues to impress audiences with his interpretation of the standard orchestra and band repertoire, his exceptional affinity for 20th Century music and his command of a broad jazz repertoire.  Maestro Bracey’s extensive commitment to the organizations with which he has been affiliated has garnered him a reputation as an...Read More

Trumpet virtuoso Burgess Gardner, also a composer and former educator, earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in educational administration and his Ph.D. in music at Michigan State University. He has played in bands of Count Basie, Horace Silver, and Louis Belleson. He has also played behind artists...Read More

Dr. Frank A. Watkins (’01 BM), a native of Omaha Nebraska, taught secondary choral music in Texas for six years. He holds degrees in piano performance from Jackson State University (BM), the University of Arkansas (MM), and choral conducting from Northwestern University (MM) and Michigan State University (DMA). Watkins is in demand as guest conductor...Read More

Members of the JSU Vocal Area conducted the 2017 Summer Vocal/Choral Academy in June. "This was the 2nd year of the SVCA and it was a tremendous success!" said Dr. Loretta Galbreath, Assistant Professor and director for the week-long academy.  "The academy offered theory, sight-singing, voice/performance class, private lessons, choral ensemble, choreography and yoga.  The JSU...Read More

Dr. Patricia L. Reeves is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Tennessee State University. A member of the TSU faculty since 2006, she teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in music education including Introduction to Music Education, Elementary and Secondary General Music Methods, Foundations and Philosophy of Music Education, and Praxis...Read More

The instructional leadership of Patrick Jackson ('81 BME) and commitment to music education are legendary in the Kirkwood (MO) School District.  He has been honored in Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers by former students.  Jackson was the recent recipient of the Missouri American String Teachers Association’s “Secondary String Educator of the Year” award.  In addition,...Read More

Associate Professor of Jazz Studies, Rodney Jordan ('93 BME), joined the Florida State University College of Music faculty in 2001. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS where he studied with Dr. London Branch, Alvin Fielder, and Andy Hardwick. Mr. Jordan was the Assistant Principal bassist with the...Read More

Dr. Jammieca Mott ('97 BME) has performed the roles of the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Rosina in Ghosts of Versailles, Alceste in Alceste and Sandman in Hansel and Gretel. Other roles performed include Fire in L’enfant et les sortileges and Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, the Lady with the...Read More

Dr. John L. Cornelius ('88 BM) is an Associate Professor of Music at Prairie View A&M University.  A member of ASCAP, Cornelius’ works are garnering increasingly frequent performance throughout the United States.  His output includes a number of chamber works, orchestral works, and song cycles.  Having been the music director/arranger/composer for a number of theaters including...Read More

Tiffany S. Williams (’13 BM) is a native of Jackson,  MS.  Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Music degree in voice performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, studying with Marietta Simpson.  She received her bachelor’s degree in piano and voice performance from Jackson State University, where she studied with Dr. Phyllis Lewis-Hale and...Read More