FSU alum returns to campus with mission to connect community to music
In 1982, after four years of playing trumpet for the Marching Chiefs and ultimately graduating Florida State University, Greg Jones had taken a bite of the “FSU apple” and knew he would return. Flash forward to the 2020 pandemic, and Dr. Jones finds himself a new dean of his old alma mater, ready to make a difference.
This week the FSU School of Music and Javacya Arts Conservatory are connecting for a Music Fest at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
Connecting through music
The human brain receives music with open pathways and welcomes the electricity caused by the combination of pitch, melody, and tonality. Research conducted by The Institute For Music & Brain Science shows music’s ability to spark activity in all areas of the brain.
Music scholar, educator, and practitioner Greg Jones has molded his pedagogy around igniting the entire brain and human being through music. From a young age, Jones found a deep connection to music.
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“I can tell you a moment in junior high all-state band in Daytona Beach… where I first really felt that feeling playing music and that emotional connection. That was a stunning moment to me,” Jones said. “We usually say in this profession that you don’t choose music; the music chooses you. And that’s a moment where I can look back and say the music really chose me there.”
This choice led to a long-lasting relationship between music and education. A first-generation college student, Jones received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Florida State University and a Master in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He also received a Doctoral in Musical Arts and a Doctorate in Music Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music.
Following your ‘why,’ ‘how,’ and ‘what’
For Jones, music inspires a spirit of giving that stems from the most human level. He takes the lead from modern-day philosopher Simon Sineks, who has encouraged Jones to discover his “why,” “how,” and “what.”
“I learned that my ‘why’ is actually connecting to people. My ‘how’ is using music, my ‘what’ was playing the trumpet for a large part of my life, and now it's being an administrator.” Jones has played in orchestras, philharmonics, and symphonies across the country while mentoring and shaping those he met. This ability to combine scholarly work with performance is a welcome shift in academia for those who walk the line between “academic” and “artist.”
In 2015, his vision of connecting music, education and community collaboration was realized as he built Purdue University Fort Wayne’s School of Music and served as its director for five years. Jones’s commitment to engaging with community through music led to receiving a Fulbright Artist in Residence in Greece.
His long, fruitful relationship with the Fulbright Foundation allowed Jones to teach throughout Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania as part of an ongoing outreach program. Jones credits this program for opening his eyes to cultures beyond his own and providing a deeper understanding of art and humanity.
Back and better than ever
In 2020, Jones made his long-desired return to Tallahassee as the Associate Dean for Outreach and Engagement in the College of Music at Florida State University. In this position, Jones hopes to establish a strong partnership with the College of Music and the community it serves.
Jones views the FSU College of Music as the music center of North Florida and believes in its ability to become a resource beyond the campus. Placed into practice, this can be seen through Jones’s efforts to create a new degree path that focuses on music and community.
“I have real care for my community, and I am blessed to live in a place with a great music program and a school. I was just lucky that I [had] that. And I was lucky that I was able, all the way through my life, to have mentors and people assist me through my journey,” says Jones. “And now, at this point in my life, I want to be a mentor to as many people as I can, using the resources of Florida State and the Tallahassee community and beyond.”
Teaming with Javacya Arts
Most recently, Jones facilitated the partnership between the FSU School of Music and Javacya Arts Conservatory (JAC). The JAC was founded in 1981 by former FSU School of Music alumni Patrice Floyd. The conservatory provides space and accessible music education for musicians of color.
The JAC encourages Tallahassee youth to explore their connection with music while advocating for using music to make meaningful changes and contributions to society.
Jones is honored to collaborate with Floyd and the JAC to bring Music Fest, an array of choruses and symphonies compiled into an evening of musical excellence, to the Ruby Diamond Auditorium.
Featured ensembles and artists include FAMU DRS Youth Orchestras and Dance Company, the Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra and the Javacya Symphony Sextet, along with featured vocalists including Darryl Tookes and Mary Bush-Smith.
If you go
What: Music Fest
When: 7 p.m. May 23
Where: 222 S. Copeland St., Tallahassee
Cost: $20-$75 per ticket; visit https://javacyaarts.com/
Contact: 800-658-1230 | info@javacyamail.com
Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts. COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org).
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU dean Greg Jones aims to connect music, community
