CONNOR JOHNSON

CONNOR JOHNSON (b. 1999; he/him) is a composer, trumpeter, and educator based in East Lansing, Michigan.

Connor’s work, which ranges from experimental electroacoustic music utilizing expanded instruments to music for traditional British brass band, has been recognized by groups including Tribeca New Music, the Sinta Saxophone Quartet, the St. Louis Chamber Project, and the National Youth Brass Band of America. He is equally accomplished as a performer, placing second in the 2021 National Trumpet Competition’s ensemble division with the Michigan State University Trumpet Ensemble and receiving second prize as a soloist in the 2021 Next Generation Trumpet Competition.

While Connor composes in a variety of mediums, he has a bent towards solo and chamber music. From 2020–2021, Connor wrote a series of thirty-six unaccompanied miniatures for performers seeking new works during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, his work with smaller performing forces has continued with works being presented at the zFestival New Music Festival and performed in the Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame series presented by Vox Novus. Connor’s current work focuses on accessibility in electroacoustic music through multi-modal performance that accommodates varying levels of performers’ experience.

As a performer, Connor is a strong advocate of new music and an avid commissioner of solo and chamber music. He has, individually and with consortiums, commissioned new additions to the brass repertoire from composers including Eris DeJarnett, Jonathan Posthuma, Ruby Fulton, Adam Summey, Chris Evan Hass, Melody Eötvös, and Spencer Arias. He is also dedicated to helping develop the next generation of musicians as an educator, teaching music technology at Michigan State University and working as a trumpet instructor with the non-profit organization Through The Staff.

Connor is pursuing a Master of Music Degree in Composition at Michigan State University, where he studies composition with Zhou Tian and trumpet with Justin Emerich. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Michigan State University.