Joseph D. Johnson

Dr. Joseph D. Johnson is a professional horn player, composer, and educator living and working in the Augusta, GA area, known as the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area). He previously held the second horn position with the Johnstown Symphony and has also performed with numerous orchestras throughout the Eastern United Sates, including the Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony (SC), West Virginia Symphony, and Knoxville Symphony to name a few. Dr. J is active as a chamber musician and soloist, having performed at multiple Southeast Horn Workshops, the 2016 International Horn Symposium, and as a featured soloist with numerous groups.

Dr. Johnson is an active member of the International Horn Society, having served as State Representative of West Virginia for four years. His articles have been published in The Horn Call, and he is frequently sought after as an adjudicator. Not only does he judge many of the regional and state competitions/festivals in his area, but Dr. J has also judged competitions at regional workshops and is a jury member for ENKOR International Competitions. Several of his arrangements for horn ensemble are published by Cimarron Music, including an original setting of the traditional tune, “Danny Boy.”
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Currently, Dr. Johnson serves as Instructor of Horn at Augusta University and USC Aiken, and served in the same capacity for Presbyterian College. He was also an adjunct professor with Southern Wesleyan University and maintains a vibrant private studio of young horn players in the Augusta, GA area. Dr. Johnson's primary horn teachers have included Dr. Carrie Strickland, Dr. Darian Washington, Robert Pruzin, Calvin Smith, and Dr. Virginia Thompson. He also studied with Bill Caballero of the Pittsburgh Symphony, and received instruction from Gail Williams, David Jolley, Adam Unsworth, Lowell Greer, and Marian Hesse. Dr. Johnson holds degrees from West Virginia University (DMA in Performance), The University of Tennessee (MM in Performance), and Augusta University (BM in Music Education).