Philip Johnson, Concert Master

Philip Johnson began learning violin at the age of 10, studying with symphony players in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music in 1982, and a Master of Music degree in violin performance and literature from Baylor University in 1986.  His teachers include Bernard and Rivka Mandelkern, Sally Thomas, Charles Castleman, and Kristin Lindley, and he has coached with concertmasters of eight major orchestras. His summer studies include four summers at the Meadowmount School of Music, two summers at the Quartet Program, and one at the Tanglewood Music Institute. Since joining the San Antonio Symphony in 1983, he has been an active performer throughout San Antonio and South Texas. He was Concertmaster of the Mid-Texas Symphony for six years, and from 2004-07 he served as Operations Manager for Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. Since 2009, he has been a member of the adjunct faculty at St. Mary’s University, where he teaches violin lessons, string methods classes, and directs the growing St. Mary’s String Ensemble. He serves as Associate Concertmaster of the Symphony of the Hills, and is active with local freelance playing, sectional rehearsals at area high schools, and private teaching. His wife, Deana, is an oboist, retired high school orchestra director, and youth orchestra conductor; they have three grown children and two grandsons. In (look up the year), Philip and Deana appeared with Symphony of the Hills, performing Bach’s Double Concerto for oboe and violin.