John Howell: history, arranging, historical instruments

John Raymond Howell, Associate Professor of Music. B.A. in Music, University of Puget Sound, 1966. MM in Choral Conducting, Indiana University School of Music, student of Julius Herford and Fiora Contino, 1974. Doctoral studies in Musicology, with minors in Choral Conducting and Viola Performance (student of William Primrose) Indiana University School of Music. Extensive professional experience in classical, commercial, and early music.

Professional entertainer and musical arranger with The Four Saints, performing on five continents and in all 50 states, appearing on the major TV variety shows of the 1960s. 23 albums, 9 singles, and many commercial jingles. More recently Roanoke Symphony, Lynchburg Symphony, Southwest Virginia Chamber Orchestra, Blacksburg Community Strings & Chamber Orchestra, Blacksburg Community Band. Show director at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Faculty member, the Indiana University School of Music, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Virginia Tech Department of Music. Conductor of the Belles of Indiana and the Pro Arte Consort at Indiana University, the Aspen Pro Arte at the Aspen Music Festival, and The New Virginians, the Studio Singers, the John Howell Singers, the Early Music Ensemble, and the Choral Union at Virginia Tech.

Published work includes a book on the life and teaching of string educator George Bornoff, articles in the String Education Quarterly, the Orff Echo, the Kodály Envoy, and VMEA Notes, and choral arrangements which have sold over 20,000 copies worldwide. “Suite in Five Moods” for string orchestra published summer 2000. Tone poem for concert band, “Variations on a Hymn Tune: April, 1912,” on the sinking of the Titanic, premiered April, 2001. Four Anthems, “Psalm 27: A Psalm of Trust,” “Psalm 13: A Psalm of Lamentation,” “Psalm 58: A Psalm of Vengeance,” and “Psalm 146: A Psalm of Praise” commissioned by Covenant Presbyterian Church and premiered September, 2001.

John Howell's website