Craig Jessop Receives 2013 Madeleine Award
Craig Jessop, dean of the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University, is the recipient of the 2013 Madeleine Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts and Humanities. The award was announced by Mike Stransky, chairman of the Madeleine Arts and Humanities Council at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City.
Jessop will be honored at a May 9 dinner in Salt Lake City.
The award is presented annually as part of the Madeleine Festival of the Arts and Humanities to individuals who have made “comprehensive and long-term contributions to the arts and humanities in Utah,” the award press release said. The Madeleine Award was first presented in 1989.
“Dr. Craig Jessop will be added to an impressive list of past awardees who have contributed so much to our state’s vibrant arts and humanities programs — many of whom now serve on the selection committee for this award,” the announcement continued.
Jessop was named dean of USU’s Caine College of the Arts in 2010 after the college’s creation and an internal search. A USU alumnus, he joined the university in May 2008 as the music department head following a distinguished career in the military and as the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1999-2008. Since he joined USU, he was involved in the founding of the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra and now serves at its music director.
Jessop has been involved with music most of his life. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 1973 then went on with a master’s degree from Brigham Young University in 1976 and later his doctorate in conducting from Stanford in 1980.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and its music programs, eventually earning the rank of Lt. Colonel. His assignments included directing the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. (1980-87) and as commander and conductor of the Band of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein, Germany (1987-91). He returned to the states as commander and conductor of the Air Combat Command Heartland of America Band (1991-95).
Following his retirement from the armed forces, Jessop was named to lead the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Under his musical direction, the choir received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts. With the choir he recorded more than 15 CDs and received a Grammy nomination for his work with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Through his work with the choir, he has collaborated with internationally known artists ranging from Sting to Yo-Yo Ma.
He is a popular guest conductor, including the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival sponsored by the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall and the Berkshire Choral Festival.
Related links:
The Cathedral of the Madeleine
Contact: Laurel Dokos, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, (801) 328-8941, ldokos@utcotm.org
Craig Jessop, dean of Utah State University's Caine College of the Arts, will receive the 2013 Madeleine Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts and Humanities, an award presented by the Cathedral of the Madeleine and its Madeleine Festival.
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