Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1944

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

J. Reilly Lewis was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music as a conductor, organist, and educator. Born on June 22, 1944, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Lewis grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a pianist. Lewis began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Lewis attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the same institution. Lewis continued his education at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance. After completing his education, Lewis began his career as a music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia. Lewis was known for his dedication to his students and his ability to inspire them to achieve their full potential. In addition to his work as an educator, Lewis was also a talented conductor and organist. He served as the music director of several orchestras and choirs, including the Cathedral Choral Society in Washington, D.C., the Washington Bach Consort, and the Handel Choir of Baltimore. Lewis was particularly known for his expertise in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Throughout his career, Lewis conducted numerous performances of Bach's Mass in B Minor, which is considered one of the greatest works of classical music. He also conducted performances of Handel's Messiah, which is another beloved work in the classical music canon. Lewis was known for his ability to bring out the best in his performers and to create powerful and moving performances. Lewis received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2007, he was awarded the Medal of Honor from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions to the arts. He was also awarded the John Barry Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Choral Music by the American Choral Directors Association in 2011. One of Lewis's most significant accomplishments was his work in establishing the Washington Bach Consort. The Consort was founded in 1977 with the goal of performing the complete works of Bach. Lewis served as the music director of the Consort for over 30 years, and under his leadership, the group became one of the most respected and beloved ensembles in the country. Lewis's legacy in the world of classical music is significant. He was a talented musician, a dedicated educator, and a passionate advocate for the music of Bach and Handel. His contributions to the world of music will be remembered for generations to come. J. Reilly Lewis passed away on June 9, 2016, at the age of 71, but his music and his legacy continue to inspire and move audiences around the world.

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