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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) Department of Music will host a tribute concert in honor of Johnetta Randolph Haley (1923-2021), celebrated emeritus music professor, musician, former administrator, community leader and civil rights activist. 

The concert for the former SIUE Distinguished Service Award winner will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 29 in the Dunham Hall Theater on the Edwardsville campus. To reserve tickets, click here. 

The concert will feature current and former SIUE students and recipients of the Johnetta Haley Scholarship. It will open with the SIUE University Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Mishra, DA, professor in the Department of Music. 

Featured will be internationally acclaimed pianist Stan Ford, SIUE alumnus and 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee, performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The Legend Singers from St. Louis will follow, and former SIUE Professor of Music Reggie Thomas will join his wife Mardra Thomas to conclude the concert. Former SIUE music student and Johnetta Haley Scholarship recipient Adaron “Pops” Jackson will also perform. A reception will follow. 

Haley, who began her educational career as the vocal and general music teacher at East St. Louis Lincoln High School, joined SIUE as an assistant professor in the Department of Music in 1972 after earning a master’s in music education from the University. She attained the rank of associate professor in 1978 and then professor in 1984. Haley served as director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center (East St. Louis campus) for more than 10 years. 

She became professor emeritus in the music department upon her retirement in 1993 and in recognition of her service to SIUE and the East St. Louis community, the University named a scholarship program in her honor. 

The Johnetta Haley Tribute Concert began as the idea of former SIUE Chancellor Randy, PhD, and his wife Mary Jo Pembrook, PhD, former piano and chimes instructor for the East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts at the East St. Louis campus. 

“Johnetta Haley was my mentor for more than 40 years,” said Randy Pembrook. “In Spring 1978, she was my student teaching supervisor at Edwardsville High school. In that role, her feedback proved insightful and timely, and I became a better teacher because of her experience and wisdom.”

“When I returned to SIUE in 2016, I immediately contacted her,” Pembrook continued. “She provided helpful information about how the University had progressed significantly since I left. Her contacts in the St. Louis metropolitan area, as well as Madison County, Illinois, proved invaluable.” 

“Mary Jo also interacted regularly with Ms. Haley,” Pembrook noted. “We both appreciated her caring spirit, her forthrightness and particularly her consistent support for the University and its students. Over seven decades, Ms. Haley made SIUE and our community a much better place. We miss her.” 

“The opportunity to honor such a tremendous educator, mentor and person reminds us of how we should aspire to live our own lives,” said John Korak, DMA, chair and professor in the Department of Music. “Ms. Haley’s legacy shines brightly in the lives of her students, colleagues and the many scholarship recipients she supported.” 

“It is not an exaggeration to say Professor Haley constantly broke institutional and social boundaries that others thought were not possible,” said Ford of his mentor. “Because of her willingness to exceed these artificial boundaries, she consistently reached heights of success many of us only dreamt of reaching." 

“Mrs. Haley was appointed to her distinguished position at a time when Blacks were rarely seen in in such a leadership capacity in the U.S.,” explained Ford. “She was profoundly dedicated to teaching and gave so much of herself, which inspired others to do the same. This includes me, and I have had the privilege to guide thousands of students. Much of her wisdom is reflected in not only what, but how I teach.” 

To read more about Haley, click here. 

Free parking will be available in Lot E, directly west of Dunham Hall. 

Photo: Johnetta Randolph Haley