Johnson is guest conductor for U.S. Naval Academy Band

SALISBURY, MD ---Dr. Richard L. Johnson, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music at Salisbury University, serves as guest conductor for the United States Naval Academy Band on Sunday, April 6, at 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis.

Johnson has appeared internationally conducting works by Hedwig Van Amerigen Rome Prize Fellow David Rakowski at the American Academy in Rome as well as at the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary at the invitation of Liszt Academy conductor, Lazlo Marosi.

Johnson, who holds advanced degrees in performance and music education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and Michigan State University at East Lansing, recently appeared with the Arlington Echo Advanced String Orchestra in Annapolis and at Yale University for the Eastern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.

The United States Naval Academy Band was formed in 1852 and is the oldest band in the United States Navy, the third oldest active duty military band in America, and one of the oldest professional musical organizations in the country.

The performance will feature clarinetist, Chief Musician Marcia L. Diehl of Cleburne, TX, who currently serves as co-principal. The ongoing Chamber Music Series features smaller ensembles with recitals planned and presented by individual band members. From its 66 members, the band calls upon two jazz groups, brass and woodwind quintets, trombone and clarinet quartets, tuba and percussion ensembles, and two reception combos.