Brian Johnston

Brian Johnston joined the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in 2018, and was the Acting Principal Trombonist in 2021-2022. Brian is also the Principal Trombone of the Lima Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Opera, Toledo Symphony & the New World Symphony. Brian is also a former regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Brian's teaching experience includes the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony Orchestra. He was also a participant in Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music Summer Trombone Workshop with Michael Mulcahy in 2018. Brian's primary teachers have included Jay Friedman, John Rojak, John Faieta, & Eric Reynolds.

Brian is a Vincent Bach performing artist, and plays exclusively on a vintage Mount Vernon Bach 42 Trombone. He resides with his wife Laurie Blanchet, Clarinetist in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and their dog Leo.