Concert: Organ Music of Leo Sowerby
Sunday, January 18 at 2 p.m.
performed by Canon Director of Music Stephen Buzard and guest lecturer Dr. Joseph Sargent
As part of our Sesquicentennial Celebration 2025-26, Canon Director of Music Stephen Buzard offers a recital of organ music by his most esteemed predecessor, Leo Sowerby. Sowerby served St. James as Director of Music from 1927-1962. During this time, he won the Pulitzer Prize in composition – the only active church musician ever to do so – and was widely regarded as the Dean of American Church Music. He taught numerous students over his career including Ned Rorem, Florence Price, Paul Calloway, William Ferris, and many others. In 1962 Sowerby left St. James to become the founding director of the College of Church Musicians at Washington National Cathedral.
Mr. Buzard will be joined by Dr. Joseph Sargent, Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Alabama who recently published the first comprehensive biography of Leo Sowerby.
Program:
Pageant
Comes autumn time
Fantasy on Flute Stops
Air with Variations
Chorale Prelude on “Were you there?”
Passacaglia, from Symphony in G minor
A festive reception will follow in Kyle’s Place.
Plan your visit
When you visit St. James Cathedral expect to receive a warm welcome! Whether you are a committed follower of Christ, a first-time visitor who is joining a friend, or fall somewhere in between, you're not just welcome, you belong.
It is not uncommon for people to either dress casually or formally when visiting the Cathedral. Our priority is that you to feel comfortable. Children are always welcome at St. James. There is an open space to the front right of the pews for children to play under your supervision and a changing station for parents of our youngest members under the church in the restrooms.
The cathedral is accessible to people with limited mobility. An access ramp is located at the west end of the building, 65 E. Huron St.
Map & Parking
We are conveniently located 2 blocks from the red line. Exit at Chicago Avenue, then south two blocks to the corner of Wabash and Huron.
We are one block west from the 3, 10, 26, 146, 147, and 151 bus lines on Michigan Avenue. Exit at Superior or Erie if southbound, exit at Huron if northbound.
Reduced-rate parking is available at ROW Parking Garage, 50 E Ohio Street, for $15 up to 18 hours. Parking is also available at Ohio Ontario Self Park, 33 W Ontario, for $11 up to 18 hours daily. Get a reduced-rate parking voucher from the St. James Commons reception desk.