Category: Press Release

PHOTO: “A Jones College Christmas” event will feature a Christmas Tree Lighting on the Plaza and Christmas program similar to the pictured Christmas performance in 2018 featuring Jones College students from JC Voices, JC Jazz, Touch of Gold dance team, and cast members of the 2018 Christmas Show with toy donations for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Pictured in the center are the show’s hosts, Jingle (Landon Williams) and Bell (Coco Caldwell) along with Santa and his friends in the Jones College of Art, Music and Performance department along with a few of the toys collected to benefit the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program.

ELLISVILLE – Jones College is inviting the public to celebrate the Christmas Season with a special event called, “A Jones College Christmas” on Thursday, December 2. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. the Christmas Tree Lighting will take place outside on the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza with Christmas carols and performances from small ensemble groups and the Maroon Typhoon Colorguard.

Immediately following the Tree Lighting, vocal and musical performances by the JC Concert Choir, JC Voices, JC Jazz Band, Touch of Gold Dancers, the Percussion Ensemble, and a couple of special guests, will begin at 6 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. The audience will be guided through the evening’s musical performance called, “Snow Place Like Jones,” by two, young actresses from Ellisville. Maddie Brown is a seventh-grader and daughter of JC Visual Arts Division Chair, Mark Brown and Julia Graham is a fourth-grader and the daughter of Michelle Graham, the JC bands’ woodwinds instructor and adjunct band staff. The kids will take the audience on an adventure discovering the joys of family and fellowship in the Christmas-themed program produced by the Assistant Dean of Jones College School of Art, Music, and Performance, Bruce Smith.

“We’re very excited as a department to be able to celebrate Christmas with the community after not having any Christmas celebrations last year because of Covid-19 restrictions,” said Smith. “It’s a real collaborative effort with performing groups in the Jones College School of Art, Music, and Performance, including JC students in the Music Industry program who have produced special music for the theatrical portion of the program. These students are also assisting Stage Tec with special lighting and audio.”

The Christmas program, “Snow Place Like Jones” will feature an evening of beautiful Christmas favorites like, “Mary Did You Know?” “Breath of Heaven,” “The World of Christmas,” and a mash-up of David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s “Little Drummer Boy” and “Peace on Earth.”

Admission to this special music and Tree Lighting event, “A Jones College Christmas” is a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the Salvation Army in an effort to bring a bit of Christmas cheer for kids in the Pine Belt.

“We want to stress the purpose of our Christmas production is to provide toys for children who normally may not have much of a Christmas. We hope our local angels will be able to give a Santa filled sled full of gifts with a little help from our audience,” said Smith.

Gift suggestions include toys, sports equipment, board games and plush animals. All the donations will be given to children in our area this Christmas.  Necessities and Christmas gifts are provided for disadvantaged children from infants to age 12, through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program in Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Clarke, Smith and Simpson counties.

For more information, call the Jones College of Art, Music and Performance Office at 601-477-4203 or follow Jones College Art, Music and Performance Facebook Page and Twitter. For more information about the Angel Tree project, go to https://salvationarmyalm.org/

Members of JC Jazz

Dr. Ben Burge, Director 

Alto Sax

Ethan Robertson, Columbia

Brandon Murray, Laurel

Eboni McDonald, Laurel

Tenor Sax

Sophia Gordon, Seminary

Jamie Anderson, Sumrall

Chris Hartfield, Petal

Baritone Sax 

Sarah Beth McKellar, Vicksburg

Trombone

Brandon Broome, Sumrall

William Eaton, Oak Grove

Tootie Hunt, Wiggins

John Scott, Oak Grove

Trumpet

Tyler Broadway, Laurel

Reagan Thornton, Laurel

Angel Salas, Petal

Hunter Overstreet, Laurel

Rachel Hawkins, Pearl

Trinity Williams, Brooklyn/FCAHS

Summer Hughes, Enterprise

Rhythm

RJ Hughes, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Ellisville

Zack Gregore, Petal

Conner Smith, Mize

Jeremy Corley, Enterprise

Logan Whitehead, Sumrall

Members of JC Voices

Dr. Susan A. Smith, Conductor

Accompanist, Dr. Theresa Sanchez

Darcy Beech, Ellisville

Chicago Collins, Brookhaven

Savannah Greene, Sumrall

Madison Lanier, Laurel

Kambri Pippin, Laurel

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Anna Leigh Ragsdale, Magee

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh

Jacob Strickland, Ovett

Josiah Raine, Picayune

Emily Valentine, Taylorsville

Hanna Grace Wood, Laurel

Christmas Percussion Ensemble

Dr. Josh Frans, Director

Ema Hudson, Sandersville

Stevonta Mayfield, Waynesboro

Michael Arevalo, Pearl

Bonner Welch, Moselle

Michael DeCou, Jonesboro, LA

Logan Whitehead, Sumrall

Conner Smith, Mize

Christian Branch, St. Stevens, AL

Zach Gregore, Petal

Taikya Ducksworth, Taylorsville

Jordan Stianche, Petal

Tyler Nunn, Petal

Jeremy Corley, Meridian

Andrew Suttle, Petal

Chris Hartfield, Petal

Logan Evans, Laurel

Touch of Gold Dancers

Lora Davis, Director/Choreographer

Ivana Bishop of Waynesboro

Abbey Dodd of Petal

Morgan Breland of Ellisville

Erin Buckley of Gallman

Karlee Green of Laurel

MacKenzie Drinkard of Lucedale

Meg Matthews of Raleigh

Annalee Dumas of Petal

Madison Temple of Pearl

JC Concert Choir

Dr. Imguy Kang, Director

Dr. Victoria Johnson, Accompanist

 Soprano

Natalie Dewitt, Laurel *

Bayleigh Hill, Laurel

Charity Miller, Brooklyn

Bralynn Newell, Newton

Anna Pickering, Laurel

Abigail Thrash, Laurel

Madison Windham, Mize

Ashley Allee, Oak Grove

Victoria Ball, Laurel

Sabrina Turner, Vinegar Bend, AL

Rachel Carlino, Waynesboro

Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle

Gracee Green, Laurel

Amberlyn Holifield, Leakesville

Destiny Lewis, Laurel

Abby Nix, Ellisville

Laiklynn Roberts, Waynesboro

Darcy Beech, Ellisville

Savannah Greene, Sumrall

Abigail Smith, Richton

Trinity Williams, Brooklyn

Kamaya Hutton, Hattiesburg

Alto

Sarah Ables, Laurel **

Virginia Fortenberry, Lawrence County

Lily Hendrix, Sumrall

Samantha Bishop, Florence

Hannah Manning, Quitman

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel

Hannah Johnson, Laurel

Madison Lanier, Laurel

Bailey Rowell, Wayne

Molly Waldrop, Laurel

Natalie Walker, Laurel

Hanna Wood, Laurel

Annaleigh Ragsdale, Magee

Jennalyn Purvis, Petal

Payton Voge, Laurel *

Morgan White, Laurel

Jaelynn Peak, Foxworth

La’Lexia Murrell, Laurel

Kristen Jordan, Laurel

Tenor

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh

Michael Decou, Chatham, LA

Petara Jo’i Jones, Hattiesburg **

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson *

Josiah Raine, Picayune

Elijah Gray, Heidelberg

Jacob Strickland, Ellisville

Lazarius Shelby, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Wesley Carmical, Ellisville

Bass

Judah Capers, Laurel

Vincent Brown, Moss Point

David Ishee, Laurel

Alejandro Jarillo, Laurel

Donovan Williams, Laurel

Cameron Beech, Laurel

Cameron Glenn, Ellisville

Colby Marsh, Petal

Samuel Rodgers, Petal

Jarrett Darden, Seminary

Xavier Porter, Laurel

Marcus Sims, Laurel

Isaiah Spradley, Laurel

Damarie Windham, Laurel

Rayshawn Gamblin, Waynesboro

Jonah Holland, Ellisville*

Conner Smith, Ellisville

Dylan Waters, Laurel

*Section Leader

**Director’s Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

ELLISVILLE – During Homecoming festivities at Jones College, the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Chapter International Honor Society announced the establishment of an Alumni Chapter of PTK. As part of the chapter’s College Project, led by sophomore JC student from Waynesboro, Ivana Bishop, The PTK Alumni Chapter will provide an opportunity for alumni of the honor society to be connected to current students and future students.

“The function of the PTK Alumni Chapter at Jones College is to encourage a sense of belonging to Jones for these graduates. We believe our alumni would want to be a part of this organization to reunite them with their peers, have their accomplishments recognized and to reestablish links between successful alumni and Jones College through communication and networking,” said Bishop.

Three advisors of the newly established PTK Alumni chapter group, Gwen Matuszewski of Raleigh, Matthew Harrison of Laurel and Je’Shaiah Stephens of Laurel, were recognized during the Alumni Luncheon at Homecoming in October. Gwen Matuszewski previously served as an advisor of the current PTK Chapter as a Jones College employee. Stephens and Harrison are recent graduates of Jones College and former PTK members and officers. For more information about the new, PTK Alumni chapter email, PTKAlumni@jcjc.edu

 

Picture Cutline  costumers 10-21:  The winners of the Costume Contest for JC students are pictured left to right; Jada Austin of Hattiesburg took second place. Jordan Grimes of Leakesville won first place. Aidan Church of Ellisville was the third-place winner.  Honorable Mention winners were Aryn Cox of Laurel; Brandy Patterson of  Ellisville; Braden Cupit of Ellisville and Emilee Heintz of Petal.

ELLISVILLE –Several hundred super-heroes, princesses and ghouls came out to have fun at the annual Jones College Treats in the Streets on the JC campus. Kids played games for treats in the booths set up by JC faculty and students as a way to give back to the community. Some children participated in the costume contests for babies through teens, with the winners of the creatively dressed kids receiving a variety of goodies and sweet prizes from the JC Office of Student Affairs.

College students who dressed the best received Bobcat Bucks for their efforts. Taking first place was Jordan Grimes from Leakesville as “Pebbles Flintstone.”  Jada Austin of Hattiesburg came in second place as “Sushi Roll” and Aidan Church of Ellisville as the “Scary Clown,” took third place.

JC students and winners in the Group category, Grimes, Samantha Dildine as BamBam, and Rashad Bullock and Keasia Andrews of Tylertown as the dinosaurs, were the Flintstones Characters. Also participating as honorable mention winners were Aryn Makayla Cox of Laurel as “Morticia Adams,” Brandy Patterson of Ellisville as “Mercy,” Braden Cupit of Ellisville as an Anime character and Emilee Heintz of Petal as, “Scary Fat Baby.”

Treats in the Streets is an annual, free, community event that is hosted by the Jones College Student Government Association.

ELLISVILLE- Jones College’s Office of Student Affairs and Student Government Association along with campus clubs and organizations will host the annual “Treats in the Streets” night of activities on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The trick-or-treat trail event will be held in front of the C.L. Neill Student Center Plaza, the place where the event originated  22 years ago. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and the public is welcome to attend all events. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

From 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., JC clubs and organizations will have treats and games available beginning at the Student Center Plaza. The trick-or-treat trail continues around the A.B. Howard Gymnasium, and around the Hutcheson/Hubbard Administration Building ending behind the Terrell Tisdale Library and beside the Humanities building. This event is for children ages 0 to 12 years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult to attend.

The costume contests will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the stage area beside the Visual Arts building and the Library Lawn, for kids ages 0 to 12. At 6 p.m. a costume contest for JC students will begin. D.J. Dace will be set up on the stage before and after the costume contests.

Also, the Jones College all-you-can-eat cafeteria will stay open for dinner until 7:30 p.m. The cost for children ages 4 to 9 years of age is $4.75 and for children ages 10 to adults the cost is $8.25 (tax included).

The annual Treats in the Streets celebration is an outdoor event and may be canceled or modified if it rains or if the weather is not conducive for children. For more information, contact Dr. Tessa Flowers at 601-477-4845 or email: tessa.flowers.jcjc.edu.

ELLISVILLE-Jones College’s Concert Choir will begin the fall performance season with the first concert on Sunday, October 17, at 6 p.m. at West Ellisville Baptist Church. The public is invited to attend this free event which is also the first public performance with Dr. Imgyu Kang as the new Director of Choral Activities. Jones College music and piano instructor, Dr. Victoria Johnson will accompany the group on piano.

The 30-year veteran vocalist, conductor and instructor earned his Doctoral Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Alabama. He earned his master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University, and his bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Seoul. Dr. Kang previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Oral Roberts University and Western Nebraska Community College. Dr. Kang also taught Advanced Conducting at the University of Alabama from 2009-2012 and was the assistant conductor of the University of Alabama University Singers. His love of music and talent won him the Korean American Scholars Award in 2003 and 2010 and the Korean American Embassy Award in 2010.

Dr. Kang opens the fall concert choir season with the 71-member Jones College Concert Choir’s, “New Season, New Songs” themed concert. The group will perform a variety of music including, “Come to the Water” arranged by Lynda Hasseler with soloist, Darcy Beech of Ellisville. Bonner Welch of Moselle will be the featured soloist for “Prayer of St. Francis” by Allen Pote. The song, “Order My Steps (In Your Word)” arranged by Jack Schrader will feature soloists, Lazarius Shelby of Laurel and Jaylon Sims of Laurel. Other musical selections include “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood and “William Tell Overture,” arranged by Julie Eschliman.

The next JC Concert Choir performance will be Sunday, November 7, at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Laurel. The final concert of the semester will be a Christmas Concert with the JC Fine Arts Department on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. For more information contact the JC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4203 or email joneschoir@jcjc.edu

JC Concert Choir

Soprano

Natalie Dewitt, Laurel *

Bayleigh Hill, Laurel

Charity Miller, Brooklyn

Bralynn Newell, Newton

Anna Pickering, Laurel

Abigail Thrash, Laurel

Madison Windham, Mize

Ashley Allee, Oak Grove

Victoria Ball, Laurel

Sabrina Turner, Vinegar Bend, AL

Rachel Carlino, Waynesboro

Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle

Gracee Green, Laurel

Amberlyn Holifield, Leakesville

Destiny Lewis, Laurel

Abby Nix, Ellisville

Laiklynn Roberts, Waynesboro

Darcy Beech, Ellisville

Savannah Greene, Sumrall

Abigail Smith, Richton

Trinity Williams, Brooklyn

Kamaya Hutton, Hattiesburg

Alto

Sarah Ables, Laurel **

Virginia Fortenberry, Lawrence County

Lily Hendrix, Sumrall

Samantha Bishop, Florence

Hannah Manning, Quitman

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel

Hannah Johnson, Laurel

Madison Lanier, Laurel

Bailey Rowell, Wayne

Molly Waldrop, Laurel

Natalie Walker, Laurel

Hanna Wood, Laurel

Annaleigh Ragsdale, Magee

Jennalyn Purvis, Petal

Payton Voge, Laurel *

Morgan White, Laurel

Jaelynn Peak, Foxworth

La’Lexia Murrell, Laurel

Kristen Jordan, Laurel

Tenor

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh

Michael Decou, Chatham, LA

Petara Jo’i Jones, Hattiesburg **

Jalen Poindexter, Jackson *

Josiah Raine, Picayune

Elijah Gray, Heidelberg

Jacob Strickland, Ellisville

Lazarius Shelby, Laurel

Bonner Welch, Moselle

Tellas Smith, Laurel

Wesley Carmical, Ellisville

Bass

Judah Capers, Laurel

Vincent Brown, Moss Point

David Ishee, Laurel

Alejandro Jarillo, Laurel

Donovan Williams, Laurel

Cameron Beech, Laurel

Cameron Glenn, Ellisville

Colby Marsh, Petal

Samuel Rodgers, Petal

Jarrett Darden, Seminary

Xavier Porter, Laurel

Marcus Sims, Laurel

Isaiah Spradley, Laurel

Damarie Windham, Laurel

Rayshawn Gamblin, Waynesboro

Jonah Holland, Ellisville*

Conner Smith, Ellisville

Dylan Waters, Laurel

*Section Leader

**Director’s Assistant