The Mississippi Humanities Council will honor Tony Gordon, assistant professor of music and university organist at Alcorn State University, as the institution’s 2026 Humanities Teacher Award recipient at its Public Humanities Awards ceremony today at 5:30 p.m. at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
Gordon, a Natchez, Mississippi, native, has served at Alcorn State for 39 years. His dual role as assistant professor and university organist has evolved from fulfilling teaching duties to shaping the university’s music program.
In connection with the honor, Gordon will deliver a public presentation titled “Selected Genres of Piano Literature” on Thursday, March 26, at 1 p.m. in the Little Theater of the Joyce J. Bolden Fine Arts Building on the Alcorn State campus.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
“Receiving this award is truly an honor,” said Gordon. “This recognition affirms my commitment to excellence in education. It is a reminder of the impact music education has in shaping confident, expressive and collaborative scholars.”
Gordon said he was first drawn to music through sounds he heard growing up, especially in church. He described the piano as an instrument that seemed to hold the entire musical world within it.
“I was fascinated by how melody and harmony could come together under one set of hands, and I wanted to be part of creating that sound,” he said. “The piano was very approachable. I love figuring out songs by ear and it became a way for me to explore music on my own terms.”
As an educator, Gordon said his greatest satisfaction comes from watching transformation in real time — the moment when a student masters a difficult passage, finds their voice or performs with confidence for the first time.
“Music is personal, so growth in music often reflects growth in identity,” said Gordon. “When former students come back and say, ‘I still use what you taught me,’ that’s hard to match.”
Gordon’s presentation on March 26 will explore the diversity, relevance and accessibility of piano literature across genres.
He said he hopes to encourage listeners to think beyond traditional boundaries and to explore diverse genres as tools for creative expression, inclusive teaching and community engagement.
