USU conductor Craig Jessop to receive high arts award by governor
Utah State University’s founding dean of the Caine College of the Arts (CCA), Dr. Craig Jessop, is being awarded for his exemplary leadership in Utah arts. The award was chosen and will be presented by Governor Gary Herbert at a luncheon on May 5.
“I have been to several of these luncheons before, and have watched as all these wonderful people received these awards,” said Jessop, a USU alumnus. “I never dreamed that I would be a recipient, so it was very nice and a little shocking to receive the news.”
Jessop has a long list of accomplishments in music and art, according to his biography. These include his 13-year career as music director of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and serving as USU’s head of the music department. He founded the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra for which he is also the music director. In addition, he served as the music director of the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival.
His extensive biography does not end there, for he was also director of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington D.C. Along with his USU Bachelor of Science, Jessop has a Master of Arts from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from Stanford University.
There will be four awards presented at the Mountain West Arts Conference for the 2016 Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Awards, which will be held at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City.
In addition to Jessop’s Individual Leadership in the Arts Award, the Organizational Leadership in the Arts Award is being awarded to the Utah Arts Festival, James Rees is being awarded the Education Leadership in the Arts Award and Zion Canyon Arts & Humanities Council is being awarded the Local Arts Agency Leadership in the Arts Award.
“This year’s recipients play important roles in highlighting the cultural magnificence of Utah, providing valuable educational opportunities and boosting the economy of the state,” Gov. Herbert said in a press release. “Their leadership enhances the livability of communities in all corners of Utah and prepares future generations for creative success.”
Other important figures are recognizing the accomplishments and successes of these recipients as well.
“As a Division we have the privilege of working with many of these exceptional recipients on a regular basis through our programs and partnerships,” said Gay Cookson, Utah Arts & Museums Director. “I am proud of what these individuals and organizations have done to improve the lives of all Utahns and look forward to what they have yet to achieve.”
This is not the first award Jessop has received for his talents, for he also received the Arts Administrator of the Year Award at the National Convention of the College Orchestra Director’s Association. He received the prestigious Madeleine Award for distinguished service to the Arts and Humanities. In 2012 he was awarded the Utah National Guard’s Minuteman Award for service to the State of Utah.
“In 2014 I received the governors mansion performing artist award by Governor Gary Herbert, so it is the second time he has honored me,” Jessop said. “I was presented the award at a special dinner at the governor’s mansion in Salt Lake.”
Jessop continues to impact student lives now that he works full time at USU as a dean and professor.
“Dr. Jessop was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here,” said Kelsey Hess, a senior in the Choral Education department in the CCA. “He is extraordinarily talented and knows what quality groups sound like and how to push his ensembles to achieve those high expectations.”
Hess said that she has performed in two of his choral productions and will be involved in a Bach concerto he’s directing over the summer.
“He doesn’t settle if we as a group are incapable of doing what he wants. He teaches us until we get it, and it’s what I want to pattern my own ensembles after,” she said. “Dr. Jessop is as brilliant as he is talented. He has an extraordinary vision and has what it takes to achieve it. He could be doing anything he wants, yet he chooses to be a part of the CCA to help us students, and I’m grateful for the privilege I’ve had to learn from him.”
Jessop teaches a choir class (the American Festival Chorus) that students can take for credit and community members can also join. There are about 200 members with about 10 percent being students.
“I try to stay as close as I can to all the students,” Jessop said. “As department head I was only with the music majors, but now as dean I am with the arts majors, the theatre majors and the music majors. I now have a broader spectrum of contact with students, but that is why I am here and I love my interfacing with the students.”
For more information on the Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Awards, please visit heritage.utah.gov/arts-and-museums/things-eventsgovernors-leadership-in-the-arts-awards.
— jillian.mccarthy@aggiemail.usu.edu