Johannes Visser

Appointed Fall 2024

Johannes Visser is a South African Composer and Conductor, currently based in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. His music reflects on his South African heritage and celebrates the diversity of the musical traditions he practiced from a very young age. Ranging from large orchestral works to intimate solo improvisations with live electronics, Johannes’ music tells an expressive story shaped by his deep, emotional feelings regarding social justice, equality and inclusion. His string quartet, vlug 295, casts an emotional light on the human impact of the Apartheid regime and the lingering consequences thereof. As orchestral conductor, Johannes holds positions with the Capital City Symphony in Washington D.C. as well as the Prince George’s Philharmonic in Maryland.

Johannes earned his doctorate degree in music composition at the University of Maryland, College Park, under the supervision of his mentor and dear friend, Professor Robert Gibson. He also holds graduate degrees in orchestral conducting and composition from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Music from the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. Notable awards include the Jan Royce Foundation Prize for his symphonic work, madiba se sprokie, the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace Prize for vlug 295 and the Peter Klatzow Prize for compositional excellence. Johannes currently serves on the faculty at the University of Maryland as Assistant Clinical Professor of Music Theory and Composition.