Keith Johnston
Director of Bands
Bridgeport, CT

Sacred Heart University Director of Bands Keith Johnston has a long and varied career conducting ensembles throughout the United States and abroad. During his tenure the Sacred Heart University Pioneer Band program has developed a nationally recognized program that tours, commissions, and has been featured in several national television ad campaigns, as well as an appearance on MTV.

Mr. Johnston has been Music Director for the Allegheny Brass Band of Pittsburgh, where he raised the 27-member chamber ensembles’ reputation to a national level by commissioning new works, and taking the ensemble to the People’s Republic of China, and Bermuda. Mr. Johnston has served as Music Director of the Pittsburgh Savoyards Opera Company, Auburn Chamber Orchestra (NY), Onondaga Orchestra (NY), and the founding conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Inspiration Point (AK). He has been a guest conductor for the Edgewood Symphony (PA), the North Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Civic Symphony.

Mr. Johnston enjoys working with young musicians, and has conducted the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, Wheeling Symphony Youth Camp (WV), Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Trumbull Youth Associations 2006 production of West Side Story. He has guest conducted the CT Association of Independent Schools Honor Band, the City of Bridgeport All-City Honor Band, and the Bradley University HS Honor Band. He is also active as an adjudicator, judging music competitions throughout the country.

In 2008 Mr. Johnston traveled to Haiti to teach and conduct at the Ecole St. Trinite Summer Music Camp. While there he taught low brass students, chamber music, and conducted the Le Grand Harmonie, a select wind ensemble of professionals, teachers, and advanced students. His experience led him to co-found a foundation dedicated to advancing music education in Haiti, providing instruments and supplies, and helping to bring dedicated teachers to this island country.

Mr. Johnston received his Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Master of Music from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied trombone with Byron McCulloh, and conducting with Robert Page, Juan-Pablo Izquierdo, and Eduardo Alonso-Crespo. He has also studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart.

You may reach Keith at 203-365-4767 or by email: johnstonk@sacredheart.edu