Hayes School of Music

Jay C. Jackson (b. March 12, 1954) earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State University in 1976 and a Master of Music degree from Appalachian in 1981.  Between these two degrees and briefly thereafter, he was employed as a band director in the Iredell and Alamance County (NC) school systems.  He graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts (Instrumental Conducting) degree from The University of Kansas in 1989.  His conducting professors were Robert Foster, George Lawner, and Zuohang Chen.  

In the Fall of 1986, Dr. Jackson joined the faculty of The College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University (OH) as Assistant Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands.  His conducting responsibilities were directing the Falcon Marching Band, Concert Band, and Athletic Bands.  His teaching responsibilities included Percussion and Low Brass Methods, Marching Band Techniques, and Field Experiences.  In the Fall of 1992, he joined the faculty of the School of Music at Appalachian State University, first as a visiting Assistant Professor of Music.  A year later, he was appointed as an Associate Professor and in 1998, was promoted to Professor of Music.  His conducting responsibilities, at that time, were directing the Appalachian State Marching Mountaineers, the Symphonic Band, and the Basketball Band.  Concert Band was added in 1995.  His teaching responsibilities included, throughout his tenure, Percussion Methods, Undergraduate and Graduate Instrumental Conducting, Concert Band Literature, Instrumental Techniques, and Materials, Marching Band Techniques, Instrumental Playing Techniques, and Introduction to Teaching Music.  Throughout his Appalachian career, he was actively engaged with Student Teacher placement and observation. 

Cannon Music Camp (CMC) played a major role in Dr. Jackson’s life and career.  First, as a three-year “camper”, CMC was pivotal in his determination to pursue music and music education as a career; and to do so at Appalachian State.  As a music educator, he was a proponent and, essentially, a recruiter for the camp as he encouraged his students and others in the Alamance County and Burlington City school systems to attend the camp.  In 1981, he joined the teaching faculty as Director of the Symphonic Band.  In 1983, he was hired to become the Dean of Men, a position he held while pursuing his doctoral studies and his position at BGSU. In 1995, he became the Camp Director before leaving after the 2000 season, to join the School’s administrative team.

In the Summer of 2000, Dr. Jackson was named Assistant Dean of the School of Music, serving alongside newly appointed Dean, Dr. William Harbinson.  He would go on to be promoted to Associate Dean and served with Drs. William Pelto and James Douthit.  During his time of service, Dr. Jackson oversaw many initiatives including Academic and Curricular compliance, Coordinator of Scholarships and Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Recruitment and Retention, Publicity/Development activities, along with Space Assignments and Reservations.  He served as a liaison for the School on various University Committees, including the Council of Chairs Executive Committee, the Council of Chairs, Enrollment Planning Council, University Scholarship Committee, University Advising Committee, University Commencement Committee, Appalachian Today Editorial Board, DegreeWorks Oversight Committee, DegreeWorks Communication Committee, and he was a DegreeWorks PowerUser. In addition, he was a member of the University Strategic Planning Commission (2006), Graduate School Review Taskforce, Chair – Workload and Evaluation Committee, NCATE ‘Conceptual Framework’ Taskforce, Chancellor Assessment Survey (Borkowski), and the NCAA Feasibility Study to Examine a Move from 1AA to 1A (ca. 1998-2002)

He also served as an ex-officio member of the Hayes School of Music Advisory Board, Dean’s Advisory Council, and the Curriculum and Assessment Council.

After completing his Masters degree in 1981, Dr. Jackson remained musically active as both a performing percussionist and instrumental adjudicator.  As a percussionist, he has performed, primarily in North Carolina, as a substitute percussionist with the North Carolina Symphony, the Western Piedmont Symphony, the Hickory Choral Society, the Charlotte Symphony, and as a pit percussionist for the Blowing Rock Stage Company.  As a conductor, Dr. Jackson has had the opportunity to lead various select, auditioned ensembles across numerous counties and districts of Ohio and North Carolina.  As an adjudicator, Dr. Jackson has been contracted by numerous state associations across the Midwest and Southeast to serve on judging panels in the marching, concert, and jazz realms, including adjudicated opportunities hosted by the major entertainment providers (Disney, Six Flags, Musicfest Orlando, Music In the Parks).  

Now, in retirement, Dr. Jackson occasionally serves as a substitute teacher in the public schools and he has returned to performing as a concert percussionist and jazz drummer.  He has also become a voice actor and is actively auditioning and contracting work in the commercial and long form narration (corporate, explainer, and e-learning) genres.