C L Johnston Conductor/Trainer
Musical Director/Conductor
My background
Welcome to Christopher Leon Johnston's Web site.
Freelance Musical Director based in Milton keynes.
Also recently appointed UK Distributor for Helios
Musical Instruments. An exciting new range of instruments!
Most importantly a Great Euphonium !!
Born in Carlisle 1957, and began playing at the tender age of 6, having been given the C scale and a Cornet from my Father Derek johnston himself a Musical Director of Brass Bands and male voice choirs.
I won my first medal at 7 years of age, with the Rossington Colliery Band quartet under the baton of Johnnie Jones.
Then my family moved to Dinnington Colliery Band where I played Cornet, after a few years I moved to Thurcroft Colliery Band again still on Cornet.
From there I moved on to the then famous Cresswell Colliery Band on 2nd Cornet, the principal Cornet at that time was the Famous Mervyn Griffiths, who was as Famous in the North of England as Derek Garside.
I spent many a happy hour after practise while the older players were having a pint, I was having individual tuition from Mervyn, who was a fantastic player and this was a great experience for me.
My family then moved to Cornwall in 1970 when my Father was offered the position of Musical Director with the Camborne Town band.
I was on 2nd cornet for about 18 months and was then moved on to 2nd Euphonium, I was with Camborne Town until 1974, having won the Areas 3 times in the Championship section, gaining 5th place in the Natonal Finals, and also winning the World Music festival in Kerkrade also in 1974.
I then moved back to Cresswell Colliery for approx 18 months on Solo Euphonium, which was a great honour for me, also I was working in the colliery as a miner.
After this I moved back to Cornwall & joined the St Keverne band on Solo Euphonium and bandmaster, having been trained by my father the art of conducting, I taught the Junior Band, and also when my Father was unavailable to conduct I would step in to take the helm.
Having conducted the Band on many occasions, including Songs of praise (BBC TV) and also a tour of Germany. Throughout this time I won many awards in Solo competitions, such as Champion of Cornwall, Champion of the South West of England, all more than once.
Also with my Brother Derek on Trombone, Now MD Hayle Town band 2007 3rd section Champions, Brother in Law Peter Goldsworthy on Soprano, & Cathy Moor on Cornet (now with the BBC Concert Orchestra) we were the St Keverne Band quartet, again at the time unbeatable on many occasions.