Having studied with John Cage, Harry Partch, and Darius Milhaud, Johnston benefited from the American music education system in place during the mid-20th century. His works span the second half of the 20th century. Written in various just tuning systems, 4th String Quartet (Amazing Grace), written in 1973, is perhaps Johnston’s most famous piece. Johnston creates a world of sound evoking many strong emotions that simultaneously convey Johnston’s masterful composition techniques.