Samuel Barber - Conspirare

About Craig Hella JohnsonRenowned as one of the most influential voices in choral conducting inthe United States, Craig Hella Johnson brings a depth of knowledge,artistic sensitivity, and imagination to his programs. As founder andartistic director of Conspirare, Johnson assembles some of the finestsingers in the country to form a world-class, award-winning ensemblecommitted to creating dynamic choral art.In addition to his work with Conspirare, Johnson also serves as ArtisticDirector of the Victoria Bach Festival, an annual event that drawsmusicians and critical praise from around the country. Of Johnson’sperformance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mike Greenberg of the SanAntonio Express-News wrote: “Through all the amazing ebbs and flowsof dynamics, the radiant balances, the seamless connection of episodes,the theatrically astute tempo relations, the unified structural arc, themusic shone forth with organic naturalness. Nothing sounded fussedover. Everything just sounded right.”Johnson served as Director of Choral Activities (1990-2001) at theUniversity of Texas in Austin where he led the graduate program inconducting. He was artistic director of San Francisco-based ChanticleerKaren Sachar(1998-1999) and has served as guest conductor with the AustinSymphony, San Antonio Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Chicago’sMusic of the Baroque, Berkshire Choral Festival, Oregon Bach Festival,and Taipei Male Choir.Praised by audiences and critics, Johnson’s programs are hailed asthought-provoking musical journeys. A unique aspect of Johnson’sprogramming is his signature “collage” style: through-composedprograms that marry music and poetry to blend sacred and secular,classical and contemporary, classical and popular styles. In 2006 he wasengaged to create a special peace-themed collage program for the NorthCentral ACDA convention. He was also engaged by the famed St.Olaf Choir to create and conduct a collage program during a five-weekresidency with the choir in spring 2007.A composer and arranger, Johnson works with G. Schirmer Publishingon the Craig Hella Johnson Choral Series, featuring speciallyselected composers as well as some of his original compositionsand arrangements. His works are also published by Alliance MusicPublications. Also an accomplished vocalist and pianist, he released hisfirst solo CD “Thorns on the Rose” in 2008 on the Booker Music label.Johnson’s distinctive style and commitment to the choral art have ledhim to be honored with several awards, including 2008 induction intothe Austin Arts Hall of Fame and the 2009 Louis Botto Award forInnovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal, given by Chorus America.Most recently he received the 2011 Citation of Merit from internationalprofessional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, the organization’s highesthonor for a non-member.A native of Minnesota, Johnson studied at St. Olaf College, the JuilliardSchool, and the University of Illinois and earned his doctorate at YaleUniversity. As the recipient of a National Arts Fellowship, Johnsonstudied with Helmuth Rilling at the International Bach Academy inStuttgart, Germany.26 27