Hall Johnson

Biography

Composer, author, conductor and arranger, educated at the Knox Institute, Atlanta University, Allen University, USC, the Hahn School of Music, the University of Pennsylvania and the New York Institute of Musical Art. He also studied with Percy Goetschius and was awarded an Honorary Music Degree from the Philadelphia Musical Academy. In 1925, he formed the Hall Johnson Choir, appearing in concerts, films, theater, radio, television and recordings. He arranged and directed the music for the Broadway production of "Green Pastures" (in which his choir appeared), and wrote the Broadway stage score for "Run, Little Chillun". In 1936, he organized the Festival Negro Chorus of Los Angeles, and appeared in the International Festival of Fine Arts in Berlin. In 1951, he toured Germany and Vienna through the auspices of the US State Department, and won the New York City Citation in 1962. He was also a member of the New York City Citizens Advisory Commission for Cultural Affairs.