President Robert B. Sloan and Provost Cynthia Simpson are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Terre Johnson as Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Choral Activities effective July 1, 2017.
Prepared by music degrees from Troy University, Auburn University, and Florida State University, Dr. Johnson is nationally recognized as a leader in choral music, church music, and professional performance production. He has conducted choral groups in university, community, workshop, and church settings across the nation, and in international settings including Sydney, Vienna, Warsaw, and Rome. His extensive experiences in university teaching and administration, adjudication, composition, and arts administration demonstrate the range of his gifts.
Dr. Johnson is the founder and conductor of the acclaimed Birmingham Chamber Chorus and the Southeastern Chamber Orchestra. Previously he was Conductor-in-Residence for Midamerica Productions in New York, and Music Director of the New Jersey Choral Society. His twelve concerts in Carnegie Hall have met with critical success. While working in New York, he became closely associated with composer and conductor John Rutter, and traveled nationally to prepare over 100 choruses for performances with him. While at Florida State University, he became accompanist and rehearsal assistant to Robert Shaw, who visited the campus frequently to conduct concerts. Dr. Johnson also served the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra as its Managing Director. He has served the American Choral Directors Association as National Chair for Music in Worship, National Chair for Lifelong Singing, and editor of its worship music publication. His music is published by MorningStar Music Publishers, Chorister’s Guild, and Southeastern Music.
Dr. Cynthia Simpson is delighted to welcome Dr. Johnson to HBU following his recent service at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. “I am confident Dr. Johnson will be an inspiration to HBU and our students. He combines a passionate faith and excellence in music in his service to the church and music community,” said Dr. Simpson
Dr. Jason Lester, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, says, “Dr. Johnson’s creativity, expertise, breadth of skill, and leadership from the community to the national level will serve HBU extraordinarily well. He is ideally suited to lead our Department of Music as we expand our commitment to the creative arts.”
About Houston Baptist University
Houston Baptist University is an ethnically and religiously diverse private institution in Houston, TX, emphasizing a Christian liberal arts education. The University offers a wide range of majors and programs, as well as NCAA Division I athletics in the Southland Conference. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan centers, HBU aims to develop citizens whose character, attitude and intellect are a valuable contribution to thriving communities. Find out more at HC.edu