A local composer is being recognized on the international stage as Dr. Randall Johnson’s latest choral piece receives a prestigious honor from JW Pepper.

Dr. Johnson, a former University of Guam music professor and current instructor at Guam Community College, recently learned that his original composition, "Ragnarök (Destiny of the Gods)," has been selected as an editor’s choice by JW Pepper, a leading music publisher.

The piece was commissioned for the American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir, which features 322 boys from all 50 states and beyond. Johnson said this recognition marks a special milestone in his career, as it’s his first piece to be premiered at the national level.

Renowned choral educator Randy Stenson, who helped facilitate the commission, recently visited Guam for the 2025 Tumon Bay Music Festival. Alongside his wife, he led workshops and conducted the festival's mass choir at its grand finale.

Johnson composed "Ragnarök (Destiny of the Gods)" with the following thoughts when writing for the teen boys choir,  “Why not do something that is fun for them. Thus, I dusted off my Scandinavian heritage and did significant study of the Poetic Edda and more specifically the Völuspa (The Seeress Prophecy) and wrote the text for Ragnarök (Destiny of the Gods). It begins with Jürmungandr slithering to shore to fight Thor and battles continue until the death of Odin by the giant wolf Fenrir. Finally war ends, peace begins with Baldr, god of beauty and light.”