CLU organist to perform free concert

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Jan. 18, 2013) California Lutheran University’s organist will present a free recital at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in Samuelson Chapel.

Kyle E. Johnson will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederick Frahm, César Franck, W.C. Handy and Johann Pachelbel at the concert. This is the second concert of the 2012-2013 Orvil and Gloria Franzen Organ Program Series.

Johnson is the coordinator of chapel music, university organist and music lecturer at CLU. Shortly after his arrival in 2010, he founded the CLU Chapel Choir, a cross-cultural ensemble of students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members. His choral anthem “Lamb of God,” dedicated to the CLU Chapel Choir, was published through Augsburg Fortress.

Before coming to CLU, Johnson was director of music and community arts at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square in Chicago. He oversaw the church’s efforts to become a center for community building through the arts. He has served on the music faculties of three Midwestern colleges, including University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has presented solo organ recitals in eight states. He holds a doctor of musical arts in organ performance from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and music degrees from Indiana University and Bethany College in Kansas.

Samuelson Chapel is located south of Olsen Road near Campus Drive on the Thousand Oaks campus. Additional parking is available at the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard.

For more information, call the Music Department at 805-493-3306 or visit http://www.callutheran.edu.