Craig Hella Johnson
American
Summary
The Craig Hella Johnson Schirmer Choral Series
- Absence
by Dominick DiOrio - Alleluia
by Dominick DiOrio - Awake Her Not
by Dominick DiOrio - Been in de Storm/Wayfaring Stranger
by Craig Hella Johnson - Dawn
by Eric William Barnum - Ding, Dong, Bell
by Dominick DiOrio - Dorothy Poems
by Craig Hella Johnson - The Gentlest Lady - I. The Maid-servant at the Inn
by Doug Brandt - The Gentlest Lady - II. The Gentlest Lady
by Doug Brandt - The Gentlest Lady - III. Prayer For A New Mother
by Doug Brandt - Gitanjali Chants
by Craig Hella Johnson - Hard Trials
by Craig Hella Johnson - In The Rifted Rock I'm Resting
by W. Warren Bentley
arranged by Jonah Kliewer - Johnny Has Gone For a Soldier
by René Clausen - Lo, How a Rose / The Rose
by Michael Praetorius and Amanda McBroom - Let Evening Come
by Donald Grantham - Mirabile Mysterium
by Taylor Davis - O Virtus Sapientiae
by Dominick DiOrio - Ode to Common Things
by Cary Ratcliff - Psalm of Life
by Craig Hella Johnson - Requiem
by Eliza Gilkyson - Ruth
by Paul Ayres - Sim Shalom
by Daniel Kellogg - Soft Blink of Amber Light
by Jocelyn Hagen - Soon Ah Will Be Done/I Wanna Die Easy
by Craig Hella Johnson - Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes
by Craig Carnahan - The Water Is Wide
by Craig Hella Johnson - We Are
by Craig Hella Johnson - We Remember Them
by Donald Grantham - The White Owl
by Doug Brandt You Do Not Walk Alone
by Dominick DiOrio
Biography
Celebrated as one of the most influential voices in choral conducting in the United States, Craig Hella Johnson brings a depth of knowledge, deep artistic sensitivity, and rich imagination to his programs. As founder and Artistic Director of Conspirare, Johnson assembles some of the finest singers in the country to form a world-class, award-winning organization committed to creating dynamic choral art.
Composer, colleague and collaborator Robert Kyr observed, "Craig’s attitude toward creating a community of artists who work together to interpret the score…goes beyond technical mastery into that emotional depth and spiritual life of the music.”
Beloved by audiences, lauded by critics and composers, and revered by singers, Johnson is known for crafting thought-provoking musical journeys that create deep connections between performers and listeners. The Wall Street Journal has praised his ability to "find the emotional essence other performers often miss,” and Fanfare has written that "Craig Hella Johnson has assembled and molded a first-rate choir to be respected as highly as the best we have had.” Following a performance of his work led by Johnson, the distinguished composer John Corigliano wrote "I believe that CHJ has understood my music in a way that I have never experienced before. He is a great musician who understands everything about the music he conducts.”
A distinctive aspect of Johnson’s programming is his signature "collage” style: through-composed programs that marry music and poetry in a seamless blend of sacred and secular, classical and popular, old and new. This programmatic style touched the hearts of viewers nationwide in the 2009 PBS special "A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert,” whose accompanying CD release earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album – the fifth such honor of Johnson’s career.
In addition to his work with Conspirare, Johnson also serves as Artistic Director of the Victoria Bach Festival, an annual event that draws musicians and critical praise from around the country.
Johnson’s distinctive style and commitment to the choral art have led him to be honored with several awards, including 2008 induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame and the 2009 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, given by Chorus America.
Johnson served as Director of Choral Activities (1990-2001) at the University of Texas in Austin where he led the graduate program in conducting. He was artistic director of San Francisco-based Chanticleer (1998-1999) and has served as guest conductor with the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, Berkshire Choral Festival, Taipei Male Choir, and Oregon Bach Festival.
A composer and arranger, Johnson works with G. Schirmer Publishing on the Craig Hella Johnson Schirmer Choral Series, featuring specially selected composers as well as some of his original compositions and arrangements. His works are also published by Alliance Music Publications. Also an accomplished vocalist and pianist, he released his first solo CD Thorns on the Rose in 2008 on the Booker Music label.
A native of Minnesota, Johnson studied at St. Olaf College, the Juilliard School, and the University of Illinois and earned his doctorate at Yale University. As the recipient of a National Arts Fellowship, Johnson studied with Helmuth Rilling at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany.
Composer, colleague and collaborator Robert Kyr observed, "Craig’s attitude toward creating a community of artists who work together to interpret the score…goes beyond technical mastery into that emotional depth and spiritual life of the music.”
Beloved by audiences, lauded by critics and composers, and revered by singers, Johnson is known for crafting thought-provoking musical journeys that create deep connections between performers and listeners. The Wall Street Journal has praised his ability to "find the emotional essence other performers often miss,” and Fanfare has written that "Craig Hella Johnson has assembled and molded a first-rate choir to be respected as highly as the best we have had.” Following a performance of his work led by Johnson, the distinguished composer John Corigliano wrote "I believe that CHJ has understood my music in a way that I have never experienced before. He is a great musician who understands everything about the music he conducts.”
A distinctive aspect of Johnson’s programming is his signature "collage” style: through-composed programs that marry music and poetry in a seamless blend of sacred and secular, classical and popular, old and new. This programmatic style touched the hearts of viewers nationwide in the 2009 PBS special "A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert,” whose accompanying CD release earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album – the fifth such honor of Johnson’s career.
In addition to his work with Conspirare, Johnson also serves as Artistic Director of the Victoria Bach Festival, an annual event that draws musicians and critical praise from around the country.
Johnson’s distinctive style and commitment to the choral art have led him to be honored with several awards, including 2008 induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame and the 2009 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, given by Chorus America.
Johnson served as Director of Choral Activities (1990-2001) at the University of Texas in Austin where he led the graduate program in conducting. He was artistic director of San Francisco-based Chanticleer (1998-1999) and has served as guest conductor with the Austin Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, Berkshire Choral Festival, Taipei Male Choir, and Oregon Bach Festival.
A composer and arranger, Johnson works with G. Schirmer Publishing on the Craig Hella Johnson Schirmer Choral Series, featuring specially selected composers as well as some of his original compositions and arrangements. His works are also published by Alliance Music Publications. Also an accomplished vocalist and pianist, he released his first solo CD Thorns on the Rose in 2008 on the Booker Music label.
A native of Minnesota, Johnson studied at St. Olaf College, the Juilliard School, and the University of Illinois and earned his doctorate at Yale University. As the recipient of a National Arts Fellowship, Johnson studied with Helmuth Rilling at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany.