User:Gerald R Jackson/sandbox

THE EARLY YEARS Born 18 October 1977 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, composer, musical director, and educator Gerald R. Jackson was drawn to music as a young child. The active cultural and musical life of the church provided earliest impressions and inspiration. He began playing piano at four years, began classical piano training at the age of 7, and by age 12 was serving as music director at The Historic First Baptist Church in Millington, Tennessee. As a child, Jackson enjoyed sight-reading a variety of hymnbooks and music encyclopedias that his grandmother provided him. Many gifts developed. But, it was God’s favor that afforded Gerald all of the professional opportunities that shaped his career. Gerald studied under the tutelage of internationally renowned conductors and composers, Dr. Andre Thomas, Dr. Odell Hobbs, and Shelia Tate. These persons were most influential and instructed Gerald in the art of conducting and choral pedagogy. Gerald continued to connect with music professionals through local and national schools, workshops and master classes.

THE UNION EXPERIENCE Jackson attended Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. While completing requirements for a degree in Music Performance, he also served as the University Accompanist. Jackson studied Piano with Virginia Carson, Voice with Dr. Karen F. Savage, Organ with Dr. John M. Ware (Department Chair) and Conducting with Shelia Tate (University Choir Director). Gerald was an active musical force at Virginia Union. He often led sectional rehearsals and accompanied the University Concert Choir during annual tours (‘97-2001), provided solo piano music for Presidential banquets, accompanied students during recitals and ensembles during weekly chapel services. Gerald also served as Instructor (private piano) for the University’s Community Music Academy (1998-2001).

CONCERT PIANIST In addition to accompanying, Gerald established himself as a Concert Pianist. He often captivated audiences with exciting performances of classical, spiritual, and original works on piano. Premier performances were held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (March 1999); Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond, VA (December 1999); and St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA (October 2000). Gerald was the guest artist for the Showcase Luncheon Hosted by The Society, Inc. at the Cultural Arts Center in Henrico County, VA (May 2001); the Eighth National Conference & Gala for The Society, Inc, (April 2002); and the Auction and Luncheon for the Richmond Chapter of The Links, Inc. (April 2001). Meanwhile, Gerald continued to offer solo performances at Virginia Union for the Book-Signing of Dr. Allix Bledsoe James, Seventh President of Virginia Union University (1998); the Retirement Banquet of Dr. S. Dallas Simmons, Ninth President of Virginia Union University (1999); Virginia Union’s African-American Read-In (1999) and the NCATE Accreditation Ceremony for Virginia Union University (1999).

EDUCATOR In 2001, Jackson received written recommendations from his professors and from Dr. Bernard W. Franklin, 10th President of Virginia Union University, to began his work as Teacher/Choral Director for Richmond Public Schools. Gerald already had experience teaching as �General Music Instructor for the Summer Heritage Program at Metropolitan African American Baptist Church (MAABC) Richmond, VA (June 96-1999). Gerald taught choral music at John F. Kennedy High School and Onslow Minnis Middle School a number of years before taking a leave of absence to start his family, tour and further his own education. During this time, he still availed himself to the school system and became a popular substitute for the choir classes of Thomas Jefferson High School, Armstrong High School, and Richmond Community High School in Richmond, VA (2006-09). Gerald returned to teach at Franklin Military Academy in 2010. He made history at FMA when he became the first choral music director for the school’s newly added Middle School component of the Academy. MUSICAL DIRECTOR God continued to bless Gerald with opportunities to grow and share his gifts. After receiving a call from Mary Boelt of the Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation, Gerald was invited to be the keyboard accompanist for the musicale, Dreamgirls. The musicale played August 4th-12th, 2000 at the Dogwood Dell historic 2,400-seat amphitheater. The Department asked Gerald to return later the same year to play the Harp (synthesizer) for the Opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors which played December 2nd and 3rd at Richmond’s Historic Landmark Theater. Gerald quickly became popular at the Dell and was invited back as Musical Director for "Once on This Island" (June 2001); "Into the Woods" (May 2002); and "Little Shop of Horrors" (August 2008). Gerald also musically directed "Into the Woods" at his alma mater, Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield, VA (May 2001); and "Little Shop of Horrors" at New Kent County High School, New Kent County, VA (November 2008).

ORIGINAL MUSIC Never far from his roots in spiritual music, Jackson traveled for many years throughout the United States presenting hundreds of concerts in America's schools and churches. While continuing to educate, perform, and minister, Gerald remained humble and faithful. God inspired him to pen his experiences into 60 sacred hymns, spirituals, anthems and gospel songs. Well-known publications by Gerald Jackson include A Collection of 12 Hymns Spirituals & Anthems. Oh, Lord Have Mercy on Me (2010), Great Day (2000) and Beulah Land (2010). His spiritual Great Day was premiered in the Inaugural Concert of Virginia Union University’s 10th President, Dr. Bernard W. Franklin (2000). One of his gospel works, Like That, was selected and included in GMWA’s music packet in 2009. The song was taught and ministered in concert by the Youth & Young Adult Division during the GMWA National Convention held in Cincinnati, Ohio (2009). The Richmond Chapter GMWA also ministered Like That on the main stage of the Duke Energy Convention Center as a part of the Jazz Festival the same year. The music of Gerald Jackson has been programmed by churches, colleges and universities across America.

WORKSHOPS & CONVENTIONS Moreover, Gerald is no stranger to local and national workshops. Gerald received his Certificate of Completion from the Lucie E. Campbell Music Workshop, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Indianapolis, IN in 1998. He has also been a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America since 2006. Now he is a renown Songwriter/facilitator. Gerald began facilitating workshops in 1997. He taught, Techniques of Vocal Production at Faith Redemption Fellowship, Forest, VA (Dec 97-2000); Sight-Singing Techniques to the Richmond Boys Choir (August 1998); and organized comprehensive church and community workshops for Madison Temple Church, Richmond, VA (October 2000); Mount Olive Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA (October 2006); New Kingdom Christian Ministries Richmond, VA (January 2009) and Union Branch Baptist Church, Chesterfield, VA (July 2009 and Oct 2010). During one of the Richmond Chapter GMWA’s Citywide Conventions (March 2009), Gerald’s music and teaching-style caught the attention of legendary pioneer, Dr. Rodena Preston. Dr. Preston asked Gerald to serve as a Songwriter/Facilitator for the National Youth and Young Adult Division of GMWA in Cincinnati, Ohio (2009). Gerald taught and ministered his original work “Like That.” Gerald returned as a seminar leader for the Richmond Chapter at the 29th Annual Gospel Music and Academic Mini Convention (March 2011). Gerald taught “Vocal Techniques” to the Youth and Young Adult Division and served as Musician Coordinator for the Convention the same year.

TOURS Gerald Jackson has toured North America independently and with many groups and artists. Among his credits are tours with Bert Boisseau and the Unity Ensemble (1993), Virginia Union University’s Concert Choir (97-2001) and with the Richmond Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America during their Missionary Journeys since November 2008. Gerald assembled two of his own groups, The Divinity Ensemble & God's Design from Richmond, VA & surrounding Areas. These groups ministered Gerald’s original works. Gerald’s music has been heard and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands. Now thanks to a number of sponsors and patrons, Gerald is taking advantage of opportunities to tour the world.

ACCOMPANYING In addition, Gerald has played for National Songwriters such as Dr. Patrick Bradley (2008) and Mother Shirley K. Berkeley (2008, 2010). He also accompanied National Recording Artists in Workshops and Concerts. To name a few, Oscar Williams (2009); Tony Williams (2009); Malcolm Williams (2010); Franklin Bubby Fann (2010) & Derrell Davis (2011). Gerald has also played for Legendary Pioneers such as Pastor Dr. Calvin Bernard Rhone (2011) and Gospel’s Greatest Story teller, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood (2010, 2011).

CHURCHES Gerald has over 23 years experience in music ministry, church administration. and coordinating community music programs. Music Director, First Baptist Church, Millington, TN (1989-1992); Assistant Minister of Music, New Covenant Fellowship Ministries Richmond, VA (1992-1993 ); Gerald was licensed in 1995 as Minister of Music by Pastor B. L. Conyers of New Beginnings Deliverance Tabernacle Church in Richmond, VA where he served from 1993 to 1996. Metropolitan African-American Baptist Church, Richmond, VA (June 1996-2000) and New Kingdom Christian Ministries, Sandston, VA (September 2000 thru October 2005). Gerald also served in leadership capacities at First Baptist Church Centralia, Chesterfield, VA; Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Glen Allen, VA; Shiloh Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA; Hood Temple AME Zion Church in Richmond, VA and most recently as lead musician and later the first Minister of Music at Union Branch Baptist Church, Chesterfield, VA.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Gerald is an active member of several professional organizations to include:  BMI Songwriter’s Guild, MENC Educator’s Association, and is a lead musician/musical director for the Richmond Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America. Gerald is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Gerald is a proud father to his daughters, Kieran Charee‘ Jackson (11years); Victoria Elyesse Jackson (9yrs) and son Josiah Curtis Jackson (3years).