Music & Computer Tech
Chris Johnston
Instructor
CEJohnston@fcps.edu
Instructor's Bio:
A native of the Washington, DC/Northern Virginia area. As composer, conductor and pianist, he has been a prominent figure in the DC-area music scene for over 25 years. He received his B. Mus degree from Indiana University where he studied composition with Drs. John Eaton and Thomas Beversdorf, and his M.A. in conducting from George Mason University. As a composer, he is author of numerous choral, orchestral, and jazz ensemble works. In 1986, the Northern Virginia Regional Youth Orchestra selected his composition “Prelude and Fugue on an English Tune” for televised performance. His composition From Far and Away was commissioned by the Reunion Music Society, Inc. and premiered by the NVCC-Annandale Symphony Orchestra in October 2002 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Society. In 1997, he was praised by The Washington Post for his work as conductor of the 1997 world premier of Nancy Binns Reed’s, “The Blue Opera”. As Instructor of Music and Computer Technology, Mr. Johnston designed the Academy’s music technology curriculum, and for the past ten years, has been a pioneer in developing music technology programs nationwide. In 2005, he received national recognition for his work in music education as a recipient of the Claes Nobel Distinguished Educator Award. In 2006, he was a recipient of the Wolftrap Foundation Scholarship Award, and, as a result, designed and produced a project in which eight young composers created and premiered a new multi-movement work entitled “Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra.” Most recently, he was the recipient of the LFI 2008 Virginia Leader in Education Award, and was honored at a ceremony attended by approximately 400 business and community leaders for his work and leadership in music education. In addition to his work at the Academy, he is currently on the faculty of Northern Virginia Community College, where he serves as conductor for NVCC/Annandale Symphony Orchestra.
A native of the Washington, DC/Northern Virginia area. As composer, conductor and pianist, he has been a prominent figure in the DC-area music scene for over 25 years. He received his B. Mus degree from Indiana University where he studied composition with Drs. John Eaton and Thomas Beversdorf, and his M.A. in conducting from George Mason University. As a composer, he is author of numerous choral, orchestral, and jazz ensemble works. In 1986, the Northern Virginia Regional Youth Orchestra selected his composition “Prelude and Fugue on an English Tune” for televised performance. His composition From Far and Away was commissioned by the Reunion Music Society, Inc. and premiered by the NVCC-Annandale Symphony Orchestra in October 2002 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Society. In 1997, he was praised by The Washington Post for his work as conductor of the 1997 world premier of Nancy Binns Reed’s, “The Blue Opera”. As Instructor of Music and Computer Technology, Mr. Johnston designed the Academy’s music technology curriculum, and for the past ten years, has been a pioneer in developing music technology programs nationwide. In 2005, he received national recognition for his work in music education as a recipient of the Claes Nobel Distinguished Educator Award. In 2006, he was a recipient of the Wolftrap Foundation Scholarship Award, and, as a result, designed and produced a project in which eight young composers created and premiered a new multi-movement work entitled “Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra.” Most recently, he was the recipient of the LFI 2008 Virginia Leader in Education Award, and was honored at a ceremony attended by approximately 400 business and community leaders for his work and leadership in music education. In addition to his work at the Academy, he is currently on the faculty of Northern Virginia Community College, where he serves as conductor for NVCC/Annandale Symphony Orchestra.
