Matthew D. Johnson
matthew.johnson@hsd153.org
(708) 799-5544 ext. 2381
Matthew D. Johnson is currently enjoying his fourteenth year of teaching and eighth in District 153 where he directs the James Hart Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands, co-directs the 6th Grade Concert Band, and assists with the 5th grade Beginning Band. Prior to returning to Illinois, Mr. Johnson taught for six years in several communities across northern Ohio, most recently serving as band director and music department coordinator for the Nordonia Hills City School District in Northfield/Macedonia, OH (2013-16). Ensembles under his direction have consistently received Superior (I) and Excellent (II) ratings at district, state, and national adjudicated events, most notably:
Mr. Johnson is a 2023 recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and has presented clinics at the Illinois Music Education Conference and Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Convention on a number of topics, including advocacy and public relations in music education, jazz pedagogy, and the integration of chamber music into a curricular program. He has served as a middle and high school solo and ensemble judge for OMEA and IGSMA, in several leadership roles for ILMEA and School District 153, and previously served as Director of the Homewood-Flossmoor Community Band.
A native of Champaign, IL, he holds a BME from the University of Illinois and an MA from The Ohio State University, with additional studies at VanderCook College of Music. Primary mentors of his include: Dr. Peter Griffin (retired, formerly Elmhurst University and University of Illinois), Dan Harrison (retired, formerly Thompson Junior HS, Oswego, IL), Barry Houser (University of Illinois), Dr. Daryl Kinney (The Ohio State University), Dr. Scott A. Jones (The Ohio State University), Dr. Joseph Manfredo (retired, formerly Illinois State University and University of Illinois), Debra Richtmeyer (University of Illinois), Mary Schrembeck, and Tom Weaver (both in the Nordonia Hills City SD). As a saxophonist he has performed several times across the Chicagoland area with his wife Kathleen Guarna: as a saxophone duo, with the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, and as part of the Dominion Saxophone Quartet.
(708) 799-5544 ext. 2381
Matthew D. Johnson is currently enjoying his fourteenth year of teaching and eighth in District 153 where he directs the James Hart Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands, co-directs the 6th Grade Concert Band, and assists with the 5th grade Beginning Band. Prior to returning to Illinois, Mr. Johnson taught for six years in several communities across northern Ohio, most recently serving as band director and music department coordinator for the Nordonia Hills City School District in Northfield/Macedonia, OH (2013-16). Ensembles under his direction have consistently received Superior (I) and Excellent (II) ratings at district, state, and national adjudicated events, most notably:
- The James Hart Symphonic Band: Division I ratings at its District Organization Contest each year (2017-2020, 2022-23), Superior ratings at all 3 appearances at the IGSMA State Festival (2017, '22, '23), Division I rating at the 2018 State of Illinois Concert Band Clinic
- The James Hart Gold Jazz Band: Division I rating at the 2019 Mundelein Invitational, Superior rating/Grand Champion at Music in the Parks 2023
- The Nordonia HS Concert Band: in 2016 earned a Superior rating at its District Large Group AE for the first time in 27 years
- The Nordonia MS 7th and 8th Grade Bands: Superior ratings at its District Large Group AE each year (2014-2016)
- The Nordonia HS Marching Band: Superior ratings at State Finals each year (2013-2015), Superior rating at the 2015 Bands of America St. Louis Super-Regional (first such rating at a BOA event in school history), 2 grand championships and 3 runner-up grand championships at OMEA Local Events
Mr. Johnson is a 2023 recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and has presented clinics at the Illinois Music Education Conference and Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Convention on a number of topics, including advocacy and public relations in music education, jazz pedagogy, and the integration of chamber music into a curricular program. He has served as a middle and high school solo and ensemble judge for OMEA and IGSMA, in several leadership roles for ILMEA and School District 153, and previously served as Director of the Homewood-Flossmoor Community Band.
A native of Champaign, IL, he holds a BME from the University of Illinois and an MA from The Ohio State University, with additional studies at VanderCook College of Music. Primary mentors of his include: Dr. Peter Griffin (retired, formerly Elmhurst University and University of Illinois), Dan Harrison (retired, formerly Thompson Junior HS, Oswego, IL), Barry Houser (University of Illinois), Dr. Daryl Kinney (The Ohio State University), Dr. Scott A. Jones (The Ohio State University), Dr. Joseph Manfredo (retired, formerly Illinois State University and University of Illinois), Debra Richtmeyer (University of Illinois), Mary Schrembeck, and Tom Weaver (both in the Nordonia Hills City SD). As a saxophonist he has performed several times across the Chicagoland area with his wife Kathleen Guarna: as a saxophone duo, with the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, and as part of the Dominion Saxophone Quartet.
Beth Houston
elizabeth.houston@hsd153.org
(708) 799-5544 ext. 2482
Beth Houston is currently in her twenty-second year of teaching and second in District 153 where she directs the 5th grade Beginning Band, co-directs the 6th grade Concert Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and serves as Director of Percussion. Ms. Houston is also teaches marching percussion at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. A lifelong resident of Chicagoland, she has served as a band director, percussion instructor, choir director, and general music teacher in several public and private schools in the area. Most recently she taught band, choir, and general music at Highlands Elementary School in Prairie Hills District 144, where she also served as Music Department Chair, headed up the building’s PBIS Committee, and served on a number of district-wide leadership teams. She holds a BM in Music Education from the University of Evansville with continuing graduate studies at VanderCook College of Music.
(708) 799-5544 ext. 2482
Beth Houston is currently in her twenty-second year of teaching and second in District 153 where she directs the 5th grade Beginning Band, co-directs the 6th grade Concert Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, and serves as Director of Percussion. Ms. Houston is also teaches marching percussion at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. A lifelong resident of Chicagoland, she has served as a band director, percussion instructor, choir director, and general music teacher in several public and private schools in the area. Most recently she taught band, choir, and general music at Highlands Elementary School in Prairie Hills District 144, where she also served as Music Department Chair, headed up the building’s PBIS Committee, and served on a number of district-wide leadership teams. She holds a BM in Music Education from the University of Evansville with continuing graduate studies at VanderCook College of Music.
