Francis John Kosowicz
Concert organist
Born Jul. 20, 1946, Lowell (MA), U.S.; son of Stanley M. and Mildred H. (Lavigne); married Augusta B. (Blundon).
Education: Harvard University, Cambridge (MA), 1960-64; Bachelor of Music (in sacred music), Pius X School of Liturgical Music, Manhattan College of the Sacred Heart, Purchase (NY), 1966; diploma in Spanish organ music, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain), 1983; Master of Music, Lancashire School of Music, Blackpool (United Kingdom), 1988.
Career: organist, St. John's Church, North Chelmsford (MA), 1958-59; music director, organist, choir master, St. Catherine's Church, Graniteville (MA), 1959-64; artist-in-residence, Abbey of the Holy Spirit, Conyers (GA), 1965; music director, Chapel of Peace, King's Point, Southampton (Bermuda), 1965-66, and Holy Trinity Chapel, Gia Le (Vietnam), 1967-68; consultant, U.S. Department of Defense, Washington (DC), 1972-74; soloist, La Sonora Tecolutla, Veracruz (Mexico), 1975-76; founder, Roane Arts Humanities Council, Inc., Spencer (WV), 1977; organist, University of Charleston (WV), 1992-93; Distinguished Professor of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music (China), 1993 -.
Author: Book of Worship for the U.S. Forces, 1974; The Bruce Shull Organ, Opus 1, 1979; compositions: Wedding, 1967, Carillon Snow Piece, 1973, Imperial Suit, 1974; numerous international concerts in Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, 1965-93;
Member of, i.a.: honorary member, Bahamas Organ Guild; Consociatio Internationalis Musicae Sacrae (Italy); Universa Laus, and Association Jehan Alain (Switzerland); American Guild of Organists (West Virginia state charmain, 1980-85); Am.erican Musicological Society; Organ Historic Society, Richmond (VA); co-founder, 1990, treasurer, 1990-91, secretary, 1991-92, Roane County Humane Authority Society; Royal Canadian College of Organists; Royal College of Organists (United Kingdom); Englewood Country Club.
Honors: Distinguished Services to Music award, International Biographical Centre (United Kingdom); Performer of the Year, Guadalajara (Mexico), 1980; Gold Medal, Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China: World Decade for Cultural Development, 1988-97; Certificate of Appreciation, American Guild of Organists; military decorations: 3 Bronze Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon; listed in: Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in American Music, Classical, Who's Who in Music, American Keyboard Artists, Who's Who in Entertainment.
Served with: United States Navy (USN), 1966-72.
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Latin, Greek.
Home: 13 C Harmony Rt., Spencer, WV 25276.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation,
New York, NY, 1996