Dr. Fergus Johnston (1959-) is an Irish-born composer. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an Honours degree in Music in 1982. In 1999 he completed a Master's Degree in Music and Media Technology at TCD (1999), and in 2011 he received a PhD in composition from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He was elected to membership of Aosdána, Ireland's state-supported artistic academy, in 1992.
He has been active as a composer since 1981, and his works have been widely performed both in Ireland and abroad. He has written for a wide variety of genres, including dance, and has collaborated on a number of successful projects involving electronic installations.
His works include "Binn an tSíorsholais" (The Peak of Eternal Light) (2004) and “Samsara” (1991) for orchestra, commissioned by RTÉ for the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, “Kaleidophone” (1992) for string quartet, harp and percussion, commissioned by Young European Strings, Cusp (1992) for violin and piano, commissioned by Rubato Dance, "Je goute le jeu..." (1997) for strings, commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and a flute concerto (1996) commissioned by RTÉ for the NSOI. He has also written two operas, “Bitter Fruit” (1992), in one act, commissioned by Opera Theatre Company, and “The Earl of Kildare” (2009) in 3 acts.
“Sinfonia,” for string octet (2018) was performed in the New Music Dublin Festival 2020 by ConTempo String Quartet and Friends. Recent completed works are “Out of Time” (2024) for 3-6 celli (individually located around the audience), and “Samhlaíocht ar “Port na bPucaí” (Fantasy on “Pooka’s Air”), for solo piano (2024) Commissioned by Music Network.