Tonight will be a celebration of the musical accomplishments of Emma Johnson. As she completes her senior year, she believes that the four pieces she is performing help convey her love for the instrument she has dedicated over a decade too. Emma plans to keep pursing her dream of playing the bassoon professionally.
Emma started playing bassoon the second semester of sixth grade at Frontier Trail Middle School in her hometown of Olathe, Kansas. She wasn't the first picked by her teacher to play the instrument, but thankfully, the first girl didn't find much enjoyment in the bassoon, (most likely because of its initial difficulty). Emma was asked second, and she immediately fell in love. During her adolescent years, Emma always strived to be unique--that seemed to be her motto. She felt the bassoon perfectly encapsulated her love for music and desire to have a passion that many weren't' familiar with. She is so glad she stuck with the bassoon, because its meaning to her ended up being much more significant.
Going into high school, Emma was very committed to her instrument. She was involved in everything musical she could be interested in, including playing pit for school musicals, participating in the solo and ensemble competitions (including on flute and marimba), joining the marching band, participating in state orchestra for three years, and eventually becoming drum major her senior year. On top of this, she pursued her love for choir in the top choral group at the school. From singing the bass part in barbershop quartet to learning new languages for Renaissance chorales, this investment in music has only proved to be fulfilling to Emma. Although hard-work, she is grateful for the gift of music. More specifically, the emotional and spiritual ramifications it has had on her life, and the ability for music to heal the lives of others.
Emma is humbled to have attended many great music festivals, including the BYU Music Institute, Domaine Forget, Interlochen, and more. The new ideas that these festivals brought her were undeniably useful on her journey as a career musician. Travel also came as Emma flew across the United States, auditioning at the country's premiere bassoon college programs. She thanks her parents for help making her musical dreams a reality in this regard.
Ultimately, Emma felt as though BYU best fit her priorities, not just as a musician, but as a person. Through the professorship of Dr. Smith, Emma's love for the bassoon has grown expenetionally. Emma began her freshman year during the Covid-19 period, which was difficult for all musicians across the globe with many precautionary options not being available to musicians. This caused even greater isolation, but as BYU ensembles kept pushing to make music, the relationships Emma has made with peers has become invaluable in her life. Emma wants to thank Dr. Smith for always pushing her, even through hardship, to keep performing. His leadership has been a great example to Emma as a musician, but more importantly as a mentor and follower of Christ.
Emma's greatest motivator and supporter is and will always be her husband, Britton Johnson. As a lover of music himself, Britton has never failed to encourage Emma to keep practicing, keep performing, and keep finding new ways to love the instrument that he knows has been such an integral part of Emma's life. To Britton, there will never be enough thank you's to suffice your dedication to my happiness, but I hope my continuance in playing the bassoon, especially for our daughter, can be an example of my gratitude for you. I love you.
Emma dedicates this performance to her daughter, Norah Belle Johnson. Today, Norah turns four-months old. She has been the greatest blessing in her life. Through the gift of music, Emma hopes Norah finds comfort in her playing. She loves her very much.