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Niles West band director bowl bound
Niles West High School Band Director Justin Johnson will serve as the saxophone instructor for students in the elite U.S. Army All-American Marching Band at the All-American Bowl next year in Texas. | Provided photo
Updated: November 5, 2012 3:20PM
SKOKIE — Niles West High School Band Director Justin Johnson has recently been selected to serve as one of the band directors for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
The band has been a part of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the country’s top high school all-star football game, since 2008, according to a release from Niles West High School District 219.
The best football game deserves the best band, and members are chosen from thousands nominated by band directors from across the U.S.
According to the National Association for Music Education website, the band features 125 top marching band members during a half-time show at the game, which will be held at noon on Jan. 5, 2013 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Johnson will serve as an instructor for the saxophone players.
During bowl week, the band receives instruction from top collegiate, high school and drum and bugle corps instructors from across the country as well as educational sessions with members of the U.S. Army Field Band.
Before coming to Niles West, the Ripley, Tenn. native earned a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from the University of Memphis, and went on to become the top director at Central High School in the Memphis City School District, according to the 219 website.
He also has served as the visual technician for both the Memphis Sound and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in Canton, Ohio.
He plays alto and baritone saxophone, mellophone and several other brass instruments.
