Mr. Richard Johnson

Email Me 

My name is Richard Johnson and I have had the honor to serve as the Music Director for all facets of our many musical offerings at Christ the Teacher Catholic School.  Since 2005, I have led and prepared students for the music ministry of our liturgies, and directed our school Christmas programs, Spring Musicals, instrumental, and choral programs.
 
I was born and raised in Iola, Kansas, a small town dedicated to the fine arts and community.  I attended the local grade school, and graduated from Iola High School in 1992.  While in high school, I was selected in 1991 as a Kansas Ambassador of Music and represented them on a European tour.  Following high school, I attended Kansas State University as a Music Education and Voice Performance major.   I had the opportunity as a member of the renowned K-State Choir to represent the University on a choral tour of England and Wales.  Upon the recommendation of the voice faculty at KSU, I auditioned for admission into the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where I received a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music in 1998.  As a WCC student, I was privileged to perform with the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur on several occasions at the Lincoln Center, NY, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall, and the Philadelphia Orchestra led by Wolfgang Sawallisch.  I also had the pleasure of appearing on a TV special in 1997 with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s “An Ode to Joy” with Zdenek Macal which aired on PBS, and a second time that same year on “Live From Lincoln Center” hosted by Hugh Downs in a performance of Debussy’s “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian” with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic. 
 
Prior to serving CTTCS, I served as the Music Director and Teacher at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church and School in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for five years.  During my tenure, I enjoyed taking the St. Albert’s Children’s Choir to Channel 6, ABC Studios to record “The Mass” on many occasions.
 
At CTTCS, I thoroughly enjoy watching the children participate and share their talents as they mature.  My philosophy on my role as Music Director centers around the whole child.  I strive to give them skills they can use beyond the walls of this school for years to come in addition to the basic knowledge and appreciation of music they gain in general music class.  I take pleasure in composing a song for our yearly themes, and having a 600 plus voiced choir sing them, as well as the other songs we use throughout the year as an entire community.  Children have many talents, and I challenge myself to help them discover it.