Who We Are...
- About the Director
Dr. Linda Jones began her teaching career in Norman at Irving Middle School in 1976, where she established a well-rounded Middle School program. After seven years, she taught at Norman Central Mid-High and co-taught at Norman High School for three years. During this time, Dr. Jones earned her Masters of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma under the direction of Dr. Dennis Shrock. In 1986, Jones was recruited to open the program at Edmond North Mid-High, where she established an outstanding program before returning to O.U. to pursue a Doctorate in Choral Conducting. Dr. Jones taught as an adjunct instructor in Vocal Music Education and Studio Voice at East Central University in Ada, OK; USAO in Chickasha, and the University of Oklahoma while working towards her degree. In 1996, Jones was hired as Assistant Professor of Secondary Vocal Music Education at Central Missouri State Univeristy. In 1998, Jones completed her dissertation and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. She took a position as Director of Choral Activities at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX bringing her closer to her family. While at MSU, Jones' choirs toured throughout TX, OK, MO, England and Scotland. In 2003, Jones returned to Oklahoma in order to be close to family. She served as Director of Choral Activities at two Universities, Mid-America and Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where her choirs toured extensively throughout the U.S. In 2008, Jones returned to public school teaching in Chandler, OK. While in Chandler, her choirs received Sweepstakes all four years at State competition and received Gold and Silver awards national competitions in Anaheim, CA and NYC, NY. Last year, the Women's Chorale was selected as an Honor Choir for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association State Conference. Jones has cliniced choirs throught Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma and conducted honor choirs in Missouri and Circle The State With Song regions in Oklahoma. She has taught studio and private voice for 25 years and been blessed with many talented students, who have gone on to Broadway; teaching music in Africa, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma, become church music directors, and even well-know Contemporary Christian Artists. Dr. Jones has one son, Paul, who is a charge nurse in the Norman Regional ICU unit; a daughter-in-law, Krista, mom and labor/delivery nurse at Norman Regional; two precious granddaughters, Bailey and Reece; a step-son, Mike, who works for Farmers Insurance; grandson, Nathan, a junior at Purcell H. S., step-daughter Marsha, and granddaughter, Shanon and grandson Brandon. Jones is married to her wonderful husband, Mel for 34 years (Sept. 28), who is one of the few really honest used car salesman in the area and sells for Wheels of Norman. Dr. Jones plans to spend the rest of her teaching career at Southmoore and looks forward to many wonderful music-making moments with her students.