uky.edu
Jefferson Johnson
Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
Degrees:
DMA University of Colorado 1992
MM University of Tennessee 1981
BME University of Georgia 1978
At UK since: 1993
Phone number: (859)257-5897
Email: jeff.johnson@uky.edu
Jefferson Johnson is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Kentucky where he conducts the University Chorale, UK Choristers, and Men's Chorus. He also teaches advanced choral conducting, choral methods and literature, and directs the graduate program (MM and DMA degrees) in choral music. A native of Atlanta, Johnson received the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia (magna cum laude, 1978), the Master of Music from the University of Tennessee (1981), and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado (1992). While living in Atlanta, Johnson was also a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus conducted by Robert Shaw.
Johnson is presently Music Director of the Lexington Singers. The 180-voice community chorus annually performs major works with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2000 the chorus performed Mozart’s Requiem with the Vienna Mozart Orchestra in the famous Hofberg Palace and sang the evening mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. In 1999 the Lexington Singers celebrated its 40th anniversary with a performance in New York City as Johnson made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Singers and orchestra in Faure’s Requiem.
Dr. Johnson’s recently released video "Ready...Set...Sing!" is published by Santa Barbara Music Publishing. It has been featured at music educators’ conventions from Ohio to Hawaii. In addition, Johnson maintains an active schedule as an adjudicator and guest conductor for high-school and collegiate choirs throughout the United States. He has recently conducted honor choruses in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, and South Dakota. He has also been a clinician for the ACDA-National Convention (Washington, D.C.), ACDA-Central Division (Detroit, MI), ACDA-Southern Division (Charleston, SC and Orlando, FL), North Carolina ACDA, Michigan ACDA, Ohio ACDA, Georgia ACDA, Kentucky ACDA, and Iowa ACDA. The University of Kentucky Chorale, under Dr. Johnson’s direction, has performed at regional and state conventions of ACDA and MENC.