Hall Johnson
Johnson, Hall; Francis Hall Johnson; choral director, composer / arranger; born 12 March, 1888 in Athens, Georgia, United States; educated, Knox Institute, Atlanta University, and Allen University; studied violin, Hahn School of Music, Philadelphia; bachelor of music degree in Composition, University of Pennsylvania (1910), won the Simon Haessler Prize for outstanding composition; graduated in music theory, violin, and composition, New York Institute of Musical Arts (1923-1924); opened a violin studio, New York City (1914); played violin or viola for the Southern Syncopated Orchestra (1918), Vernon Castle’s Orchestra, and the musical "Shuffle Along" (1921). He organized the Negro String Quartet (1923) and the Hall Johnson Choir (HJC) (1925), and composed and arranged over forty choral selections and twenty solo spirituals. He also arranged and directed music for the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Green Pastures" on Broadway (1930). He received the Harmon Award for the musical, "Green Pastures" (1931), and the George Frederic Handel Award (1970); died 30 April, 1970 in New York, New York, United States. LC
