COLUMBIA, SC – June 11, 2025, Dr. Brendan L. Johnson has been appointed as the new Director of Bands at Benedict College, where he will lead all ensembles, including the nationally recognized Benedict College Band of Distinction (BCBOD).
“I am deeply honored and humbled to join the Benedict College family,” said Dr. Johnson. “This institution has a rich tradition of academic excellence, cultural pride, and musical heritage. I am excited to build upon that legacy and elevate our band program to new heights of visibility and prestige.”
Johnson brings a decade of transformative leadership from Darlington High School, where he served as Director of Bands. During his tenure, he grew the program from 75 to 225 members, making it one of the largest high school bands in South Carolina. He was selected for the Benedict role following an extensive nationwide search for elite musicians and conductors.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Brendan Johnson to Benedict College as the new Director of Bands,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “His passion for music education, commitment to student success, and visionary leadership embody the distinctive spirit of the BEST of BC. We look forward to seeing our Band of Distinction flourish under his guidance and continue to set the standard for excellence, creativity, and Tiger Pride on and off the field.”
Johnson is focused on building a preeminent collegiate band program. “I intend to establish Benedict as one of the premier band programs in the nation by expanding our recruitment footprint regionally and nationally,” he shared. “My vision for the Benedict band is to be a beacon of excellence, known for musical artistry, powerful performances, and strong academic achievement. I will work closely with admissions, alumni, and music educators to ensure we attract top-tier talent committed to both education and performance.”
A proud dual graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, Dr. Johnson holds bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Liberal Studies. While at Bethune-Cookman, he made history as the third Mr. Bethune-Cookman University. He later earned a Master’s in Education from Anderson University, and a Doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Johnson is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; National Honor Society of Leadership and Success; South Carolina Music Educators Association; and the Minority Band Directors National Association.
Band scholarships are still available, for more information contact: BCbands@benedict.edu or call 803.705.3267.
About Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
