GOSHEN — A Goshen High School graduate feels his recent jazz music tour to China helped him grow as a musician and as a person.
Max Johnson, GHS class of 2010 and a junior at Ball State University, spent two weeks in Chengdu, China, the capital of the Sichuan Province. Johnson plays the trombone and the euphonium, which is like a small tuba. The BSU Jazz Lab Ensemble’s trip was organized by the BSU Department of Art Chairman Tom Riesing in cooperation with Sichuan University in China. The endeavor was set up as an exchange program between the two universities for musicians, artists, dancers, etc.
Director of Jazz Studies Mark Buselli had been looking for travel opportunities for his group and jumped at the chance to visit China, Johnson said.
One of Johnson’s most memorable experiences was playing at the Children’s Palace in Bejing, both as an ensemble and with Chinese musicians.
“It was pretty moving,” Johnson said. “When we started, there was a wave of people who came in to see what was up. There were 4- and 5-year-olds standing between the sections smiling and having a great time.”
The ensemble also played at several music conservatories, which also included listening to Chinese student’s classical solos. Every day was packed from morning to night with playing music, visiting the sites — including the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit — and eating wonderful food.
Johnson also spent the trip realizing what travel and new cultures can mean to a person.
“It was awesome,” Johnson said. “Something I never thought I would experience. I feel like I grew as a person and musically.”
To Johnson’s ears, the ensemble as a whole also performed in a meaningful way in China.
“I saw the band come together and be tighter musically than our group has ever been,” he said. “It was a great experience for everyone.”
Johnson said he had a good time meeting both other musicians and those just there to listen.
“They were curious about us,” he said. “They wanted to learn about us. Those who knew English wanted to practice on us. They were even curious about what we ate.”
He said one misconception their Chinese hosts had about Americans was that they have an aversion to hot foods. Sichuan is known for its “hot pot” meals, a broth-based dish often made with very hot peppers.
“They didn’t think we wanted to eat spicy foods,” Johnson said. “Even when we talked them into taking us to a hot pot restaurant, we found out later it was a toned down, sort of tourist version. But it was still the best meal we had there.”
Johnson said he loved the entire experience, which only cemented his hopes of travel for the future. The music major says he changes his mind about every week as to what his career path will be, but he knows it will involve music — hopefully on the road while he is young.
“I want to see if I can get a touring gig (after graduation)” he said. “Or maybe on a cruise ship. I really want to play after college, then later in life, teach. Playing or teaching, it is all good — but I do want to play first.”
Johnson, the son of Jeff and Grace Johnson, is garnering experience in both aspects of music right now, playing during the school year and helping with the Goshen Crimson Marching Band during the summer. He is also doing odd jobs at the County Assessor’s office this summer. In his spare time, he practices his music.
While life for Johnson a little more Indiana-style right now, he said he will always remember his first overseas music tour.
“It was gratifying to go to China and see people really enjoy our music,” he said. “To have so many people touched by our music was amazing.”
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Max Johnson stands on the Great Wall of China during a recent jazz ensemble tour to the country. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Goshen grad takes jazz overseas with BSU ensemble
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