Kevin Philip Johnson, DMA, associate professor of music and Glee Club director at Spelman College, will deliver the 2021 Catholicism and The Arts lecture, “Authentically Black and Catholic: A Visionary Retrospective on African American Music in Catholic Worship,” in the Dolan School of Business Event Hall at Fairfield University on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. This in-person event is free and open to the public, and will also be available for remote viewers. Register for the livestream at fairfield.edu/cs

Dr. Johnson has been involved in Catholic Church music since the age of 12, when he first learned to play guitar at Transfiguration Catholic School in Los Angeles, California, back in 1973. In his lecture on Oct. 27, he will share his unique perspective on the universal potential of Catholic worship and music — from chant, folk, and hymns, to contemporary, gospel, and jazz. Drawing from his experiences as an African American Catholic Church musician and composer, Dr. Johnson will offer a vision for Catholic Church music that inspires and welcomes all to participate fully in the Holy Mass.

An active conductor/clinician for honor choruses throughout the United States, Dr. Johnson earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in music from California State University, Los Angeles, and a doctoral degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. In addition to teaching music and conducting the Spelman College Glee Club, he has worked as director of music at various churches for 30 years and serves as a music consultant for Catholic Archdioceses nationwide.

Dr. Johnson is often invited to provide choral workshops and retreats for music educators and churches. He is a member of the American Society of Composers and Publishers, the American Choral Directors Association, the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and College Music Society; he has also been the recipient of several musical honors and awards throughout the United States.