Editing Francis Johnson (composer) (section)

===Musical style===
Unfortunately, only reviews from newspaper critics, audience members and programs survive to tell of the sounds produced by Johnson. During this period, it was common to not write a complete score, since works were in such demand that this time-consuming task was best left as notes; the performers could more easily be taught to produce the desired sound.  Arrangements were commonly published for amateurs in order to increase the demand for the original band or orchestra.  Only surviving today are the piano arrangements requested by publishers, along with skeleton guides of Johnson's other arrangements.  Johnson's elaborate and extended effects were apparently more important than his straightforward compositions.  Foreshadowing the jazz era, his actual music was simple, allowing the composer to instruct the performers in developing more musically complex versions.