Barbershop Arrangements from House of Joseph Music

Home * Welcome * Endorsements * Contest Music * Show Music * Who's Singing What * Ordering

Welcome!

I'm Joe Johnson, your humble host, an arranger and songwriter in the Barbershop Harmony Society. I have been involved in music in various ways for most of my 63 years, having served as a trombonist and arranger with the Air Force Band, a bass player in a number of dance bands, a choral singer, and a pianist and choir director in my church.

I joined the Society in March of 2001, and have since been working diligently at learning to write in the barbershop style. I attended Harmony College in 2002, where I was very fortunate to meet some of the great legends of barbershop music and study advanced arranging and songwriting with Dr. Val Hicks. In April 2003 I was selected as a winner in the Lou Perry Arranging Contest. I now have music being sung by many quartets, including Realtime, the 2005 International Champion, plus several other International contenders and a six-time International Champion chorus. In August 2004 I became the principal arranger for Kenny Hatton of Bluegrass Student Union. I am deeply grateful to many of my new barbershop friends, especially those in the Music Category and the arranging pool. I credit much of my progress to their help and encouragement. 

I make no claim to being a barbershop purist, but since I have already won criticism from a few of those who do, let me assert that it is not my intention to compromise our hallowed barbershop style or impose my own style on those who do not care for it.  I love the traditional barbershop sound and I have the deepest of respect for our musical heritage and the brotherhood in harmony that it represents. While my roots are deep in other styles of music that I cherish very much, I know that in time these roots will grow just as deep in the barbershop style. 

My goals as an arranger are to build a reputation for writing high-quality music, to be of service to my brothers (and sisters) in harmony, and to leave behind a legacy of music that barbershoppers will sing and cherish for many generations to come. Of course, I don't expect everyone to like everything I write, but in the end I will be satisfied that I have been true to my own musical ideals. 

Musically, I'm an adventurer, a dreamer, and a seeker of truth, comfortable with nearly everything from Amadeus to Zappa. I have a special affinity for standards, swing, ragtime, and Dixieland. My arranging style has been described as "unconventional" but unique, with distinct influences from a diverse background in other genres of music. I am essentially a rhythm-driven musician, and it shows in most of my work. You won't find many ballads in my catalog. I like music that rocks!

I present this listing of my available works for your perusal. These arrangements may be ordered from House of Joseph Music, and I would be delighted to provide custom arrangements for your quartet or chorus. I am willing to tailor any of my stock arrangements to your specific needs. Since I am retired from the 9 to 5 world, I am always available and quick to respond.

On the Show Music page you will find a collection of sacred arrangements that may be printed or downloaded free of charge. You are welcome to use any of them for your quartet or chorus. I also send out previews of my new arrangements from time to time to those who have shown an interest in my work. If you would like to be included on my mailing list, just let me know.

To listen to any of the arrangements listed here, just click on the titles. I will be happy to send preview copies of any of my arrangements.  I can email the scores to you as pdf documents and the audio as midi or MP3 files.

You may contact me at bbshopmusic@yahoo.com 

Yours in harmony ... Joe