“There are so many opportunities within the School of Music, if you’ll take advantage of them. When I think back to my own journey as a musician and music educator, I can trace every piece of who I am to a defining moment at Southern Miss. Build relationships with peers and mentors and soak in all of the knowledge you can.”
ALUMNUS
Dr. JEFFREY MURDOCK
ADVICE
“Build relationships with peers and mentors and soak in all of the knowledge you can.” “Above all, find your own musical self and develop that. Your skill set, your voice, your qualities and attributes make you unique. In developing your authentic musical self, you are creating something that the world needs, that only you can share. Be true to that, stay humble, and you will succeed.”
“I am forever grateful for lessons learned from the amazing faculty members at Southern Miss. There were so many experiences that shaped me, from performing in the opera to singing in and conducting the Southern Chorale, to pledging Phi Mu Alpha, to international touring opportunities. I am also thankful to have been selected as a McNair Scholar, a program which first sparked my interest in music education research, and which led to my pursuit of the Ph.D.”
ABOUT Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, a first-generation college student in his family, attending Southern Miss from August 1999 to May 2006, receiving both his Bachelor of Music Education and his Master of Music in Choral Conducting. Murdock has become internationally known as a conductor, clinician, and music educator. He currently serves as Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of the Black Music Institute at the University of Arkansas. He is a 2016 Connor Endowed Faculty Fellow in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and a 2018 recipient of the Golden Tusk Award. He is sought after as a clinician in the field of choral music and education, having conducted All-State and All-Region choirs, or headlined music education or choral conferences in 26 states and 7 countries. He is a skilled Gospel musician, having served on the conducting staff of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and having collaborated with Gospel recording artists, including Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Mary Mary, Marvin Winans, Marvin Sapp, Ledisi, Kathy Taylor, and numerous others. Dr. Murdock was named the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year.