Paul is the Pastoral Associate for Music Ministry at St. Joseph Church, in Springfield, IL and has held the position since 1974. He is the organist/pianist at the 3 weekend liturgies and coordinates the Adult Choir and works with instrumentalists. He also prepares and trains cantors for the parish liturgies.
Paul began his musical preparation very early and at the age of 6 was playing for children's church services at Redeemer Lutheran in Peoria, IL. Under the direction of his mother as his initial teacher, Paul continued his studies under Carroll Green of Peoria and then came to Springfield College in Illinois to study under Mr. Raymond Keldermans. He was one of the youngest members of the American Guild of Organists (A.G.O.) of the Peoria Chapter. Besides the organ as his performance instrument, Paul studied and performed on the carillion for several years under Mr. Keldermans. Paul also was an initial member of the "Singing Y'ers," a boys choir founded by Mr. Henry Charles from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL and was a member for several years as a singer then as their accompanist. In 1974, Mr. Johnson attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL and studied organ performance and church music under Dr. David Gehrenbeck.
Before acquiring the position at St. Joseph Church, he was the organist at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, IL for 2 years. In July of 1974, Mr. Johnson was hired as Director of Music at St. Joseph Church. For the past 30+ years, Paul has been involved as an accompanist in theater productions and also has given several organ recitals. He has served as a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and also a member of the Music SubCommittee. His involvement in church music extends most of his lifetime. He has been composing for the past several years and much of what he composes is sung at the parish liturgies. He spends time recording and enjoys improvising on the piano. He is currently a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians along with the parish.
Paul is married to Becky and between them he has 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren and she has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Besides his love for his 'blended' family and gatherings with them, his passion for music is "wedded" with his passion and love for life and wanting to share that love and passion with the people around him and those he works with, of all ages. If there is one song that gives "light" to this passion it would have to be "How Can I Keep From Singing!"
Email Paul at tbmusic35@aol.com
