S. Gordon Jessop
From College of Fine Arts and Communications
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Education
S. Gordon Jessop received his bachelors and masters degrees in Music Education from Utah State University. He completed an Educational Specialist's degree, which is comparable to a doctorate, in Administration and Supervision from the University of Utah. In 1976 he completed his formal education with a doctorate of Philosophy Degree with an emphasis in music education from Brigham Young University.
His professors at BYU included James A. Mason, David Sargent, Tom Matheson, Hal Goodman, Robert Smith and Avery Glenn.
Career
Jessop has actively promoted public school music education since 1961 as a public school teacher, administrator, and teacher educator. During his fifteen years in the public schools he taught band, choir, general music, and advanced placement music. He began his teaching career in a small rural school in Wyoming (grades three to twelve), and then moved to Weber District in Ogden, Utah, where he taught junior high for three years and high school for ten years. He was district music supervisor during his last four years in the Weber district.
Additionally, he was affiliated with the Golden Spike Youth Symphony Orchestra as brass section leader for seven years and conductor of the beginning orchestra for two years.
BYU
Jessop began part-time work at BYU while completing his PhD. In 1980 he was taken on full-time. He assumed many of Hal Goodman’s responsibilities while Goodman served an LDS mission. Following Goodman’s return, Jessop focused on his work with the sight singing program.
As a professor, he cared for his students invidually, leaving a lasting impression on many, such as Nancy D. Waters, Don Peterson, Paul Broomhead, Rob Dunn, David Fulmer, Patricia Henderson and Don Blackburn.
Jessop advised the student MENC chapter at BYU for seven years, was Business Manager for the Utah Music Educator magazine (now Interface) and later Editor for five years, President of the Utah Music Educators Association, Representative for Higher Education on the UMEA executive board, and a member of the State Music Curriculum Committee. For his efforts in promoting excellence in music education, Jessop received the UMEA Superior Accomplishment Award, the Outstanding Music Educator Award, and The National Federation Interscholastic Music Association (NFIMA) Outstanding Music Educator Award.
Since I taught at public schools before coming to BYU I was used to the notion of separation of church and state. Coming to BYU was very different. I feel there is wisdom in combining both together in a person’s educational experience and that is something unique about BYU.
Jessop retired from BYU in September 2007.
Family and Personal Life
Since retirement, Jessop has volunteered as a worker at the Timpanogos Temple.
