Val Johns(1934-2003)

Composer and concert pianist. Valjean Johns graduated with honors from the School of Music at Oklahoma University in 1958, and won a Fulbright Scholarship. He was one of six pianists selected to win annual recognition from the American Guild of Musical Artists for his virtuosity and musical studies. In mid-June of 1962, his recording with the Lew Douglas orchestra of the David Raksin "Theme from Ben Casey" rose to the #7 chart position for two weeks. He has performed as a guest artist with the Dallas and Oklahoma City symphony orchestras and the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra and others, and has toured with his own concert series entitled "An Evening With Valjean".