Douglas A. Lowry

1951 - 2013

Douglas A Lowry
January 31,1951 - October2,2013
Please understand that time is precious. I urge you to not take anything for granted. To raise your awareness to the height of revelation, for every moment in your life will be rendered much richer if the light of your attention burns brighter.
From Douglas Lowry's commencement address, May 20, 2012, Eastman School of Music.
Rochester, NY. Douglas Arnold Lowry, the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the age of 62. A composer, conductor, and academic leader, he was keenly attuned to the shifting music world and its challenges for music schools and students. Doug became the sixth head of the Eastman School in 2007. Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in September, 2011, he resigned for health reasons on Sept. 23, 2013. Following his resignation, the University of Rochester Board of Trustees named him the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean Emeritus.
As a composer Doug wrote for a wide variety of media. Commissions and premieres include works for the Rochester Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, the Louisville Orchestra, the Chattanooga Symphony, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Flora Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, music for Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Repertory Theater and Music at Angel Fire where he was composer in residence. He has recordings on the BIS and Summit labels. A recent commission, "The Polite Abductress" was the highlight of an April event in honor of Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery's 100th anniversary.
Before his tenure at the Eastman School in 2007, Doug was Dean and the Thomas James Kelly Professor of Music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Previously he served as associate dean and chair of the conducting department at the Flora L. Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.
Born in Spokane, Washington, in 1951, Doug graduated from Pocatello High School in 1969. After attending Idaho State University he transferred to the University of Arizona where he received a bachelor of music degree in theory and composition in 1974, and masters degrees from the University of Southern California in trombone performance in 1976 and in orchestral conducting in 1978. In 2013 the University of Rochester awarded him an honorary doctor of music degree.
Throughout his career, Doug served on the boards of numerous community and music organizations, including the National Association of Schools of Music, the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, and Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Marcia (Rhoads), daughters Jennifer, Melanie, and son Timothy; his sister, Susanne (Ray) Carter; brothers, John Lowry (Janne Goldbeck) and William (Meredith) Lowry. And his extended family, in-laws H.S. and Mary Lou Howell; brothers-in-law George (Gwen) Rhoads, Jeff Rhoads (Jennifer Jordan), and sister-in-law Julie Howell and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mildred.
A celebration of music and words of the life and work of Douglas Lowry was held on Sunday, November 3 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. A graveside service will be held November 30 in Pocatello, Idaho. For more information contact mjrlowry@gmail.com. To share a testimonial or tribute visit, www.esm.rochester.edu/lowry.