“One of the things I’ve done since becoming chair is to request enrollment information about music technology courses around the state,” he stated. “When the classes started in 2015, there were about 18 school systems teaching about 3,300 students, and only one was at a middle school. In 2021-22, we had 40 school systems offering these classes, and 14 are now in middle schools. And we have more than 12,000 students – about a 250% increase.”

Jones’ college students are a part of that development. “Today there are students who like and are interested in music but don’t want to play a trumpet or sing,” he stated. “Because we have this class, those students have an opportunity to participate in a way they might not have done. At the same time, our band, orchestra and choir programs have grown; we now have 350 students each year taking a music class.”

Through his work at McConnell and the state group, Jones has grow to be an advocate for music expertise, even writing a e book, “Music Tech 101,” in 2021 to assist academics grasp the ideas and design curriculum. He’s spoken throughout the nation about his ardour, and his dedication was just lately acknowledged by the Technology in Music Education group that named him the 2023 nationwide instructor of the yr.

“When I first got into music technology, these were the people I looked to for advice and resources, so to be on the same list with them is very humbling and fulfilling,” he stated. “It’s important to share what I know with other teachers, and I love teaching. It’s what makes me get out of bed every day.”

Information about McConnell Middle is on-line at gcpsk12.org/McConnellMS.

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