Music teacher Justin Johnson and host Evelyn Lauer discuss the impossibility of recreating performances online, the benefit of asynchronous time for enrichment, and the use of polls to increase engagement and competition.
Johnson is in his ninth year as Director of Bands at Niles West where he conducts the concert band, symphonic band, and symphonic wind ensemble. Johnson also directs the pep band, marching band, and jazz band. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Memphis and is currently finishing a Masters in Music Education at Eastern Illinois University.
Johnson serves on staff for a number of nationally recognized ensembles. This past summer would have been his 12th year as a staff member with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. He was also a member of the Bluecoats where he performed on mellophone. Johnson has additionally served on staff for the US Army All-American Marching Band from 2013-2015 and again in 2018. He has adjudicated and given clinics for concert ensembles, marching band, indoor drumline, winter guard, and jazz ensembles in Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, New York, Indiana, Michigan, and Georgia.
In 2016, Mr. Johnson was named a finalist for the Golden Apple Award and additionally named teacher of distinction. In 2020, he was named the Zemsky Teacher of the year for Niles West High School. Johnson is the 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year and is also an active member of the National Band Association, Illinois Music Educator Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, and the Jazz Educators Network.
Follow host, Evelyn Lauer, on Twitter and Instagram @evelynalauer.
BTB is produced by Evelyn Lauer. Its music is written and performed by Jim Streisel and his band, The Dead Squirrels.