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We are raising funds for a memorial service, in memory of Michael Leonard, friend, colleague, musician, scholar.
Friends....the County Coroner has completed their search for next of kin without finding a living relative.
Thanks to the generosity of many people, Michael's ashes will find a resting place at St. John the Divine, tomorrow (2/12) , at 11:00 A.M. A copy of the service booklet can be found via St. John's home page; the service will be life-streamed.
I plan on acknowledging St. John the Divine and Reverend Ferrell, who generously waived columbarium fees, with $1,000 in Michael's memory. After the service, I hope to meet with Reverend Williams of Urban Restoration Ministries, to deliver Michael's death certificate and acknowledge his work with $1,500 in Michael's memory. Acknowledging Reverend Ferrell's generosity and Reverend Williams' generosity is only possible via your generosity. Thank you!
Michael (1956-2020), scholar, organist, and harpsichordist, passed away from COVID-19 at Carle Hospital on November 28, 2020. He was 63.
Michael was born on December 27, 1956 in Oak Park, IL. He graduated from Willowbrook High School in 1975, following up with Undergraduate work at Depaul /Roosevelt Universities and Sherwood Music School and Master of Arts work at Governors State University and the Chicago Theological Seminary. He earned the Doctorate of Music Arts degree from the University of Illinois in May of 2015, with additional studies at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. A dedicated and committed scholar, he engrossed himself fully in his work and could often been found in the Music and Performing Arts Library at the University of Illinois, poring over sources. In his dissertation, Bach as Humanist, he explored Bach’s background in humanism and its influence on his compositions, with particular attention to the Brandenburg Concertos. The renowned keyboardist, conductor, and scholar Ton Koopman, who advised on the dissertation, commended Michael for “actually reading the books by Müller and others that were in Bach’s library,” and for being “able to use that information in a convincing way.” Michael’s work on numerology and symbolism in Bach’s music, and Bach’s relationship to the Caballa was fascinating.
As a church organist, Michael held posts in Chicago, and occasionally played services at the Chapel of St. John the Divine in Champaign. He also enjoyed conducting, and directed several performances of Bach cantatas while a doctoral student at Illinois. In addition to his free-lance performance, he edited doctoral dissertations in his spare time.
Michael was a gentle spirit who liked helping others. He will be sorely missed.
Friends....the County Coroner has completed their search for next of kin without finding a living relative.
Thanks to the generosity of many people, Michael's ashes will find a resting place at St. John the Divine, tomorrow (2/12) , at 11:00 A.M. A copy of the service booklet can be found via St. John's home page; the service will be life-streamed.
I plan on acknowledging St. John the Divine and Reverend Ferrell, who generously waived columbarium fees, with $1,000 in Michael's memory. After the service, I hope to meet with Reverend Williams of Urban Restoration Ministries, to deliver Michael's death certificate and acknowledge his work with $1,500 in Michael's memory. Acknowledging Reverend Ferrell's generosity and Reverend Williams' generosity is only possible via your generosity. Thank you!
Michael (1956-2020), scholar, organist, and harpsichordist, passed away from COVID-19 at Carle Hospital on November 28, 2020. He was 63.
Michael was born on December 27, 1956 in Oak Park, IL. He graduated from Willowbrook High School in 1975, following up with Undergraduate work at Depaul /Roosevelt Universities and Sherwood Music School and Master of Arts work at Governors State University and the Chicago Theological Seminary. He earned the Doctorate of Music Arts degree from the University of Illinois in May of 2015, with additional studies at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. A dedicated and committed scholar, he engrossed himself fully in his work and could often been found in the Music and Performing Arts Library at the University of Illinois, poring over sources. In his dissertation, Bach as Humanist, he explored Bach’s background in humanism and its influence on his compositions, with particular attention to the Brandenburg Concertos. The renowned keyboardist, conductor, and scholar Ton Koopman, who advised on the dissertation, commended Michael for “actually reading the books by Müller and others that were in Bach’s library,” and for being “able to use that information in a convincing way.” Michael’s work on numerology and symbolism in Bach’s music, and Bach’s relationship to the Caballa was fascinating.
As a church organist, Michael held posts in Chicago, and occasionally played services at the Chapel of St. John the Divine in Champaign. He also enjoyed conducting, and directed several performances of Bach cantatas while a doctoral student at Illinois. In addition to his free-lance performance, he edited doctoral dissertations in his spare time.
Michael was a gentle spirit who liked helping others. He will be sorely missed.