Dr. Jonathan “Jack” Sweat, a mainstay of the Millsaps music program for 38 years, died Tuesday, April 14.
His funeral is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday at Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. on Friday at the church.
"Dr. Sweat was a much loved music professor at Millsaps College,” said Dr. Tim Coker, chair of the Department of Performing Arts at Millsaps. “His piano recitals, Heritage lectures, and studio lessons formed an important focus for music study at Millsaps College for more than three decades. A true Southern gentleman in the best sense, he was most courteous and thoughtful about peers and students. His graceful, genteel spirit will be greatly missed.”
A native of Corinth, Sweat began the study of piano at an early age. After service in the military, he attended The Juilliard School of Music, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano. He taught at Elon College in North Carolina before being appointed associate professor of music at Millsaps in 1958.
From 1963 until 1966, he pursued a doctoral degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor on a fellowship from the Danforth Foundation. He was one of 50 college teachers chosen for the award from among 1,000 applicants. He received the doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance from the University of Michigan in 1967.
Sweat returned to full-time teaching at Millsaps in 1966 and was among faculty members involved in launching the Heritage Program in the 1960s. For 27 years, he introduced students to the musical heritage of the West through demonstration-lectures that were a combination of performance and exposition.
He served at various times as chairman of the Music Department, chairman of the Fine Arts Division, and chairman of the Humanities Division. He gave many performances as solo recitalist, chamber music performer, accompanist, and orchestral soloist.
In 1977, he was named Distinguished Professor at Millsaps. In 1994, he was honored by the John N. Palmer Music Foundation with the establishment of the Jonathan Sweat Music Endowment, which provides scholarships for talented students.
Upon his retirement as a full-time faculty member in 1996, Millsaps honored Sweat by presenting him in concert with the members of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Tim Coker directed. From 1996 until 2000, Sweat served as an adjunct professor of music. He taught studio piano and lectured for the Heritage Program and performed with Dr. Cheryl Coker, associate professor of music at Millsaps.
