Fergus Johnston facts for kids

Fergus Johnston is an Irish composer. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, on May 21, 1959. A composer is someone who writes music. Fergus Johnston is a member of Aosdána, which is a special group in Ireland for artists who have made important contributions to the arts.

Life and Music Career

Fergus Johnston grew up in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Roy H. W. Johnston, was a physicist. Fergus studied music at Trinity College Dublin. He also earned a higher degree in music composition from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Before that, he learned to play the flute and clarinet, and studied composition at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin.

In 1985, a group called the European Community Youth Orchestra asked him to write a piece for an orchestra. He got to work with a famous composer named György Ligeti. From 1989 to 1991, he was the leader of the Association of Irish Composers. He also finished his music education with an English composer named Robert Hanson.

What Kind of Music Does He Write?

Fergus Johnston writes many different kinds of music. He creates pieces for large orchestras and for smaller groups of musicians, called ensembles. Some of his music even uses electronic sounds. He has also written two operas, which are plays where the story is told mostly through singing.

His music has been played at many important events and festivals around the world. These include the Asolo Musica Festival in Italy and the International Society for Contemporary Music Festival. His music has also been featured at the Sonorities Festival in Belfast and Raidió Teilifís Éireann's Living Music Festival.

Selected Musical Works

Fergus Johnston has created a wide range of musical pieces. Here are some examples of his work:

Recordings of His Music

Many of Fergus Johnston's musical pieces have been recorded. This means you can listen to them on CDs or through streaming services. Some of his recorded works include:

• Samsara, performed by the Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra (1996).
• Kaleidophone, performed by Concorde (1997).
• Je goûte le jeu ..., performed by the Irish Chamber Orchestra (1998).
• His Piano Trio, performed by the Fidelio Trio (2015).

Awards and Recognition

Fergus Johnston has received several important awards for his work:

• In 1989, he won the Macaulay Fellowship from the Arts Council of Ireland.
• In 1992, he was chosen to be a member of Aosdána, which is Ireland's special academy for artists.
• From 1996 to 2001, he was on the Board of Directors for the National Concert Hall of Ireland.