Sebastian Johnson
Sebastian was born in Norwich in 1997 and studied at Norwich School. After concluding his studies, he balanced the roles of Composer-in-Residence at Norwich School, Arts’ Gap at Norwich High School for Girls, and Choral Scholar at Norwich Cathedral.
Sebastian attended King’s College London (2017-2021) and achieved Music (BMus) and Composition (MMus). During his postgraduate degree, he wrote a number of scores including Thrill for large orchestra, Into dreams for solo piano, and Ascension for flute solo and string orchestra. However, Sebastian’s passion remains choral music and recent works include The Norwich Service (available from Stainer & Bell), Ave Regina Coelorum for Keswick Hall Choir, as well as settings of Away in a Manger, Normandy Carol and Noel Nouvelet, as well as Sound, Sound the Clarion and The Old Stoic.
Sebastian’s compositional style is modern and fresh, but draws on convential and often ancient tonality and harmony to maintain accessibility. His music has been performed by The London Chamber Orchestra, Lontano Ensemble, The Tyburn Ensemble, Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, The Norfolk Medics’ Orchestra and Norwich School Chapel Choir, Norwich Cathedral Choir, The Chapel Choir of King’s College London and Fulham Camerata, .
In addition to composing, he has sung professionally with Genesis Sixteen and The Sixteen, The English Concert, and The Strand Consort. He has also worked closely with composers Silvina Milstein and Edward Nesbit and has recently typeset Milstein’s work Janus for publication.
Sebastian is the Publishing Executive at Stainer & Bell Ltd. (Music Publisher).
Recordings of certain works are available on Instagram and Soundcloud (linked in the header and footer of this page).