On center stage with a baton in his right hand, student instrumental wind conductor Johnston Nguyen faces the musicians.
Feeling the musical composition and using expressive hand and body gestures, Nguyen guides the University Wind Symphony to bring music to life. He leads the student musicians in front of him through nonverbal communication and verbal teaching.
“To me, the greatest benefit of conducting is being able to perform and put great art out into the world for others to enjoy,” said Nguyen, a Cal State Fullerton Class of 2025 grad earning a master’s degree in music with a concentration in performance.
Nguyen earned a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2020 at CSUF and then completed the one-year credential program to teach music. After two years of teaching band at Palm Desert Charter Middle School, he pursued graduate studies.
An undergraduate class taught by Dustin Barr, associate professor of music, inspired him to pursue conducting at the graduate level. He auditioned for graduate schools and chose to study under Barr.
“Studying music at CSUF is incredibly rewarding because of its world-class teachers and supportive student community. The level of attention and care you get from faculty is like no other,” said Nguyen, who plays the oboe and performs with the university’s wind and orchestral ensembles.
Barr has coached Nguyen through numerous conducting opportunities, including one that earned him national recognition.
Last December, Nguyen was accepted as one of 14 fellows from a pool of over 200 applicants to the Reynolds Conducting Institute, part of the annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
“As a fellow, I had the honor to conduct and work with some of the most incredible leaders in our profession,” he said. “I’m thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
In the graduate program, Barr said his student has grown tremendously in understanding score study and his physical ability to communicate nonverbally as a budding musical leader.
“Johnston is meticulous and detail-oriented and takes a lot of initiative,” said Barr, director of bands. “He’s the kind of student who takes risks and usually comes out on top.”
Nguyen is the inaugural recipient of the Alan V. Stang, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship for Instrumental Wind Conducting.
The scholarship was started by Kristin Stang, professor of special education and associate vice president of faculty affairs and support emeritus, and her husband, Gordon Capp, associate professor of social work. The scholarship honors Stang’s late father, a conductor and music educator.
“This support has helped me to fully dedicate my time and energy toward grad school,” said Nguyen, who plans to return to teaching after graduation and later earn a doctorate in conducting.
In CSUF’s rigorous conducting program, Nguyen engages in scholarly music study, leads rehearsals and performances, and selects music for student musicians to perform.
“It’s up to the conductor to capture the composer’s intention, to research and study every detail of the piece before the performance, and defend why a piece is worth playing,” he said.
As a first-generation Vietnamese American whose mother immigrated to the U.S. with her parents as part of the Humanitarian Operation in 1994, Nguyen said selecting music from diverse composers is also important.
“I strongly believe that conductors should select pieces by underrepresented composers in order to reflect our diverse communities,” he said.
Since childhood, Nguyen has embraced music. His high school band teacher encouraged him and inspired his career path in music education.
“I realized the positive impact music teachers have when they care about their students. I want to have the same impact on students as my teachers have had on me,” he said.
“I’m confident that sticking with music has paid off — and I’m so happy with where it has taken me.”
Contact:
Debra Cano Ramos
dcanoramos@fullerton.edu
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Music Graduate Student Hits High Note in Instrumental Wind Conducting – CSUF News
