Thomas J. Johnson

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Dr. Tom Johnson (BMI) is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Indiana State University. Tom has published more than 30 articles and book chapters in psychology and received the Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research and Creativity Award from ISU in 2005. His research focused on substance use in college students, social anxiety and depression, and effects of listening to sad music He has also presented at international conferences on topics in musicology, including medieval neumes found in a 1502 Callepino Dictionary at the ISU library, and various aspects of the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Scene. In 2024, Tom and several of his students published a chapter on spiritual and transformative experiences in the EDM Scene (Routledge). Tom is also a licensed Clinical Psychologist, with practice experience in Community Mental Health and working with various aspects of the criminal justice system.

Tom studied arranging and composition with Brent Wallarab and Dominic Spera of Indiana University, Joel Nauman at the University of Wisconsin, and Daniel Powers at Indiana State University. He received a Master of Music Composition degree from Butler University in May 2025, where he studied with Michael Schelle, Matthew Kennedy, and Frank Felice. Tom’s compositions include jazz and classical/art music as well as works for chorus and musical theater. His works have been performed by professional and amateur ensembles and choirs in 9 states. Tom has written the book, music, and lyrics for two full length musicals, both of which were performed in Terre Haute. In 2012, Tom began writing contemporary chamber works, and has composed for woodwind trio and quintet, brass quintet, piano quintet, piano trio, string quartet, and several other chamber ensembles. “Cats and Mouses” for woodwind quintet was a finalist in the Instrumental category in the 2013 UK Songwriting contest. In October 2014, his “Four Cartoons for Woodwind Quintet” was a finalist for the Van Galen Composition Prize in River Falls Wisconsin. It was later performed in recital on April 2, 2015, by the ISU Faculty Woodwind Quintet. One of Tom’s works for jazz combo, “Stealing Silver”, was selected for performance at the 2022 TUTTI Festival at Denison University in Ohio, and his art song “Once the River Was” was performed at the 2024 TUTTI festival. Tom is a member of the Jazz Education Network, the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers, and the Dramatists Guild.

His album with the Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra, “Time Takes Odd Turns,” was released in August 2024 and made four different best jazz album lists for 2024. It also was number one for the week of February 5, 2025 on the RMR Contemporary Jazz Chart. The band recently performed at The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, and should be back in the studio recording their next album in late 2025. Tom continues to perform regularly on piano and trumpet. For more information go to: https://www.tomtunesmusic.com/.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presentation(s):

• Beyond Stage Fright – Addressing Music Performance Anxiety in Jazz Students

  Saturday, January 10, 2026
  4:00 PM - 4:50 PM CST