Leo Sowerby

SOWERBY, Leo. b. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1 May 1895; d. Fort Clinton, Ohio, 7 July 1968. Sowerby came to Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 18 to study music and spent most of the rest of his life in that city. Although largely self-taught as an organist, he mastered that instrument and held important posts as a church organist. In 1918 he received a master of music degree from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and in 1921 he was awarded the first American Prix de Rome, spending the next 3 years in Rome. Returning to Chicago, he became a faculty member of the American Conservatory (1925-62) and organist and choirmaster of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. James (1927-62). In 1962 he...