The Arts Institute of Mississippi at The University of Mississippi is singing the praises of Gentry High School Choral Director Harvey Jackson and others who excel in the arts at the high school level.
Jackson and other recipients from across the state were recently honored by the Institute for their contributions to various arts-related subject areas.
The awards are presented to persons in the various disciplines including creative writing, dance and music, which encompasses band, orchestra and choir, in addition to theater and visual arts.
Jackson said he was nominated for the award by Barbara Akon, principal of the A.W. James Elementary School in Drew.
"She called me and said that she had something that had come to her email and she thought I would be a good fit for it and that I basically deserve the accolade,” he said.
According to Jackson, Akon requested several items from him such as videos of the choir’s performances, his resume’ and a list of the choirs’ and ensembles’ honors throughout his teaching career.
“Basically like a bio,” he said.
Jackson said she had requested the information at the start of the year, in January, and he had basically forgotten about it until last week.
"She called me on this past Friday and she was like, congratulations!"
He said at that point he didn't know what she was referring to because he had forgotten about her requesting the information and he never questioned which award or recognition she was submitting him for, so when he asked her what she meant, she shared the good news. Jackson said he immediately checked his email. “I was very excited,” he said.
Jackson said, “That email came right on time.” He expressed that prior to receiving notice of the award, he had been wrestling with some decisions. “Just wrestling on when to make the right move. What would be a good fit for me. I am always asking the question, ‘what can I do next in order to top what I have previously done?’" he said.
Jackson said although he has confidence in his abilities, “Every now and then that doubt will set in,” he said. Jackson stressed that he has been praying about his next move and likes to have confirmation and the announcement of the AIM award was a plus for him.
Akon, who is credited with nominating Jackson for the award is quoted as saying, “Jackson and his choir and ensembles have actually put Gentry High School, Sunflower County Consolidated School District and Indianola on the proverbial map.”
Jackson emphasized that since other choral directors are engaged in things just as great as he has been credited with, it was truly an honor. "To be selected, it was definitely a wow moment for me,” he said.
Jackson is currently working towards his Education Administration Specialist degree, "So eventually I will be looking to come out of the classroom to pursue administration at whatever capacity that is," he said. Jackson still has at least a year to complete the requirements for the degree, so he expects to be in the classroom for at least that long.
Jackson asserted that he likes challenging himself and feels that it could be time for a change. He said his goal is always to try to reach the highest level that he can reach and since he's been in the classroom for the past seven years, administration is likely his next move.
He added that under his direction the Gentry choir has already reached some unimaginable plateaus when it comes to their numerous competitions, performances and awards and queried, “So how can you top that without going international?" he said.
Although Jackson’s choir has been recognized nationally, he personally has only been honored locally. He said this is his first state-wide honor.
Jackson's teaching career includes both classroom and choral music education at R.L Merritt Junior High and Gentry High schools. Under his leadership his choir, The Gentrytes, has received numerous superior ratings in both sight reading and performance on the district, state and national levels where all three performing ensembles won first place in their respective categories.
In addition to his choirs’ numerous awards, his commitment to art education is further enhanced by a reported 98% of his graduating choir members receiving choral scholarships. That is also a source of pride for the young director.
The Arts Institute of Mississippi is in its third year of honoring high school level arts teachers. Jay Dean, executive director, AIM said in a release, “These recipients represent the movers and shakers in arts education throughout our state and we applaud their lasting contribution to the arts that merit public recognition and acclaim.”
Jackson is a native of Cleveland who received his post-high-school education at Mississippi Valley State University and William Carey University. He is currently seeking his educational specialist degree in administration and supervision from Delta State University.
