Dr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he studied with Edwin Childs; his Master of Music in Composition from DePaul University, where he studied with George Flynn and Kurt Westerburg; and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he studied under Donald Crockett, James Hopkins, and Rick Lesemann.

Before coming to Southwestern, Dr. Johnson taught at the University of Southern California, the University of California, Riverside, and The Master’s College. His works have been performed in various recitals, concert halls, and music festivals across the United States. Some of his performances and honors include winning the 1998 Phi Beta Mu Composition Competition for Illinois resident composers for his Fanfare on the Austrian Hymn; the selection of Windy City, for woodwind quintet, for the 1999 Crane Festival of New Music with George Crumb; his orchestral work Before Dawn’s Twilight being selected for performance in the highly competitive New Music for Orchestra Concert by the USC Symphony in 2003; his Four Preludes of the River winning the 2004 Klienman Competition of DePaul University; and the premiere in 2005 of his commissioned piece Libera me (revised) at the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection in Hollywood. His repertory includes works written for various solo, small ensemble, large ensemble, and orchestral performing forces. He has also been the recipient of various scholarships, awards, and commissions, and is presently a member of the American Composers Forum, Society of Composers, Inc., College Music Society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and BMI.

Music Theory and Composition Department

Education

• D.M.A. Composition, University of Southern California, 2004
• M.M. Composition, DePaul University, 2000
• B.M. Composition, Moody Bible Institute, 1998

Experience

• Assistant Professor of Composition, The Master’s College, Santa Clarita, Calif., 2004
• Lecturer, University of California, Riverside, 2003
• Theory Instructor, Institute of Music, Art & Sciences, 2003
• Aural Skills Instructor, University of Southern California, 2000-03

Ministry Experience

• Interim Director of Music, Tri-City Baptist Church, 2001-02
• Instrumental Coordinator, Moody Memorial Church, 1998-2000
• Intern, Moody Memorial Church, 1997-98
• President, Moody Chorale, 1996-98
• Music Coordinator, Moody Bible Institute Annual Missions Conference, 1995-96

Honors

• Winner of the 1998 Phi Beta Mu Composition Competition for Illinois resident composers, Fanfare on the Austrian Hymn
• Windy City selected for woodwind quintet for the 1999 Crane Festival of New Music
• Before Dawn’s Twilight selected for performance in the highly competitive New Music For Orchestra Concert by the USC Symphony, 2003
• Klienman Competition winner, Four Preludes of the River, 2004

Personal

• Professional Memberships:
  • American Composers Forum
  • Society of Composers, Inc.
  • College Music Society
  • BMI

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