By Uri Butler
Staff Writer
Langston University’s choir has been known for its musical sessions throughout the academic year. Particularly at formal ceremonies such as Convocation, Founders Day, and Commencement. As this spring semester blooms ironically through the unbearable freezing temperatures resulting in campus shut-ins, the choir continues to rehearse in preparation for their roster of events. This is thanks to its new Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities: Professor Ashton Jones.
The Tulsa native is a trained opera singer and music educator. Jones had pivoted from his initial plan of study as a piano major, into opera. While studying at Texas Southern University, Jones says he did not enjoy studying piano. After seeing his friends having more fun as vocal majors, he made the switch and success has followed him since.
The path to teaching at Langston for Jones happened unexpectedly for Jones. Langston’s former Choir Director Emeritus William Brackeen had suggested the position to Jones. “Honestly, I don’t know Brackeen very well, but he knew of me through my family as they were known musicians. I visited Langston and sat in one of Brackeen’s rehearsals to observe before going to New York to pursue my masters. I hadn’t been back home to Oklahoma for about ten years, so this was perfect as I thought about the wonderful things I can bring through the program,” Jones said.
Jones recalled the application process anxiously, requiring much documentation; but he was well prepared. “So many documents to submit preparing the application: curriculum vitae, cover letter, footage of research I’ve completed, rehearsals I’ve conducted, performances, recommendation letters and transcripts. Through all that I was selected and made it through. Probably because no one can do I what do!”
Jones describes his teaching style as interactive and relaxed with realness, with a big focus on where the student is at. “I like to do everything with reason, more practical, I don’t believe in giving loads of busy work,” Jones said. Teaching as a profession requires much patience, especially when it comes to dealing with wayward, difficult and rebellious students. “I always want to find the good in everyone. I’d likely try to talk to them to find the root of the issue. Then after, kind of craft of plan of study to show the student to be successful,” Jones told the Gazette.
Primarily, Jones’ goal going into his new role is having fun with his students. His belief in growing the caliber, creativity and musicality of the chorale are the elements to achieve this, in addition to becoming a more respected entity in the university community, and of course, traveling.
Jones was not always passionate about opera music. Growing up with gospel music as his first genre of choice, his experiences at Texas Southern would go on to change his outlook on, and find love for classical music. “Being in undergrad, I just had to pray and be like ‘God you got to show me what’s so good about this music because I’m so bored!’” Jones prayers were answered after taking a music history class in his junior year. It was there where Jones says he finally understood why student performers would get so “into it” during their recitals. “When I took music history, I gained a better appreciation from receiving the content from what I was now hearing. Classical music is art. Regular people won’t be able to digest this because there’s so much knowledge prior to realizing why we still sing music from the 16th and 17th centuries.”
The Langston University choir does not just serve as an opportunity for students to acquire scholarships. It also creates space for them to experience a diverse collection of timeless music. Jones aims overall to bring a variety of negro spirituals, choruses, chorales, and remixed versions of traditional tunes while keeping an open dialogue with students’ suggestions.
Jones begins the semester at an unusual start. Instead of being in the classroom, he has virtually organized a digital curriculum. For each score, Jones had meticulously dissected each score of music into its assorted singing parts and recorded them to a shared drive. Students can then access them to learn and submit video footage individually or collectively as a section for feedback and graded assessments. All of this takes place on Langston’s campus as he is preparing for his performance with the Lyric Opera group in Chicago. Titled “Champion,” the baritone singer has six shows lined up with the second largest opera house and company in the United States.
Out of the classroom, Jones continues to study. He is currently completing his doctorate degree in vocal performance, minoring in choral conducting at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music and Dance. In addition, he is also a proud devoted father to his twelve-year-old daughter who is also following her own unique path in music. With all his accomplishments under his belt, he still considers his little darling, a “handful.”
Uri Butler is a sophomore Broadcast Journalism major.
