Eddie Jones, Associate Professor of Music, Dies at Age 62

Eddie Jones, singing with the Inspirational Chorale
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Eddie Jones, singing with the Inspirational Chorale

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Eddie Jones, 62, long-time member of the faculty in the Department of Music in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, passed away Thursday, Oct. 16, in Fayetteville.

A public viewing will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, 4520 N. Crossover Rd. in Fayetteville. “Celebrating the Live and Legacy of Dr. Eddie Jones,” a homegoing service, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the First Assembly of God, 1605 W. Robinson Ave. in Springdale. Internment will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Jones Memorial Garden in Pearl, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may honor Jones’ legacy through memorial gifts for the publication of his last work, Gospel Music: The Sound of Hope. Contributions may be sent to 1722 N. College C-294, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Checks are payable to “Demax Investments” and should include “Gift” in the memo. Other condolences may be mailed to 11 Wembly, Rogers, AR 72758.

Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Tougaloo College, a Master of Music in Music Education from Miami University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.

He joined the University of Arkansas faculty in 1990, and has influenced countless lives as an educator, performer and conductor. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy lives on through his children and students. As an associate professor of music at the University of Arkansas, he taught courses in voice and choral methods. He also served as director of the University of Arkansas Concert Choir and the University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale.

“Dr. Jones was a gentle giant,” said Stephen Caldwell, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. “He spoke softly, but his words were always carefully chosen and poignant. He radiated a warmth that attracted students and inspired them to be their very best.”

On campus, Jones’ most visible role was director of the Inspirational Chorale, known as the Inspirational Singers when he arrived campus. After he assumed the directorship, the ensemble was offered as course credit. It grew from roughly 20 students to more than 60 and began to travel throughout the state and the region as unofficial ambassadors of the university. 

The group’s mission is to keep the black sacred music tradition alive. It also provides a presence and forum where students of all ethnicities can be exposed to the various genres of the tradition and become an integrated part of the music department, the academic community and the community at large. The ensemble has appeared at national and international conferences and for heads of state and other dignitaries, perhaps most notably during a 2007 trip to China and a performance in the Beijing Concert Hall.

Other choirs under Jones’ direction have toured the United States and performed in eastern Europe, western Europe and Asia. During a 2007 trip to China, the Inspirational Chorale performed at the Beijing Concert Hall. The Concert Choir was chosen to perform in the University of Arkansas Opera Workshop’s presentation of Suor Angelica.

 “Eddie was a truly beloved colleague,” said Ronda Mains, chair of the Department of Music. “He greeted everyone with a smile; he sincerely cared about people. Students loved him because they knew that he cared about them as musicians and as unique individuals. I have never met a more positive or optimistic person than Eddie Jones.”

Jones’ students have won state and regional awards at competitions hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Music Teachers National Association. The vast majority of his students have gone on to teach music or to continue their music education in prestigious graduate programs.

He wrote articles on hymnist Charles Price Jones and the musical arrangements of 20th century artist Roland Hayes. His research resulted in the copyrighted dramatic presentation, The Gospel Feast, which is used to inform the public about the history of Black Gospel Music.

He arranged and composed more than 30 musical selections including Fall Again, Just a Little Talk With Jesus, No Not One, Brand New Day and Precious Lord

Jones conducted compositions by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Bernstein. He prepared choirs for performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Brahm’s Requiem and Mahler’s Symphony no. 2 in collaborative orchestral concerts.

He guest conducted and adjudicated at choral festivals, conducted master classes and presented worship seminars nationally and internationally.  He participated in Ireland’s Kilkenny International Gospel Festival, serving as a guest lecturer in 2012 and as a guest conductor in 2013 featuring the U of A Inspirational Chorale as the workshop demonstration choir. He was asked to return in 2014 as the festival’s workshop conductor.

Jones was born Dec. 13, 1951 to the late Rev. Eddie Jones, Jr. and the late Alma (Garrison) Jones in Pearl, Mississippi. He is survived by Maxine, his wife of almost 39 years; four children: Micheal, Chilesa, Coletta and Wade; 13 grandchildren: Alexis, Kiana, Emelia, Olivia, Karsyn, Nathaniel, Jadyn, Gyselle, Elijah, Sophia, Alexander, Isaac and Matthias; one great grandchild: Josiah; three sisters: Varria, Connie and Sheryl; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Contacts

Darinda Sharp, director of external affairs and alumni outreach
School of Journalism and Strategic Media
479-595-2563, dsharp@uark.edu

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