Deral Johnson remembered

Uwo music faculty: Saturday’s program will honour the memory
of Deral Johnson who died in March in Arizona at 83

By JAMES REANEY The London Free Press

Last Updated: November 5, 2010 8:59pm

LONDON, ON — The UWO Don Wright music faculty’s choirs gather
on Saturday to honour the memory of a school choral legend.

The late Deral Johnson founded the Wright faculty’s choral music
program and influenced choir conductors and educators across North
America. He died in March in Arizona at the age of 83.

On Saturday, The Chorale and Les Choristes (Jennifer Moir,
conductor), The St. Cecilia Singers (Gloria Gassi, conductor) and
UWO Singers (Victoria Meredith, conductor) join forces in a
combined performance of I Have Had Singing as a final, mass
farewell at concert’s end.

In a program touched with songs for Remembrance Day and loss,
the individual choirs and guests are also heard.

Meredith was a close associate of Johnson. Many others at the
event are either former colleagues or students — or both — of
Johnson.

In a conversation with Meredith, Johnson talked about his career
highlights, which included many acclaimed performances and
honours.

“Real highlights would be just having kids sing so beautifully
that none of us wanted the program to end,” he said. “Or, comments
like ‘gosh, that’s what Bach’s all about’ that showed that they
really got into the music and had a great experience.