Sam Batt Owens

Sam Batt Owens enjoyed a long career as a well-known organist, composer, and church musician. He died in April, 1998 in Lousiville, Kent., following his retirement as Minister of Music at St. Andrew's on-the-Sound in Wilmington, N.C. Dr. Owens taught at Birmingham Conservatory of Music, Birmingham Southern College, Vanderbilt University, Fisk University, Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School, and Christ School for Boys in Arden, N.C. He held his fIrst position as an organist at age 12, and began solo organ performances at age 16. He wrote more than 200 choral, organ, instrumental and solo vocal compositions. In his later years he was teaching congregations in smaller parishes how to be full participants in corporate worship, presenting "music in liturgy and how music upholds and supports corporate worship."

Owens was born in Ashland, Ala., in 1928. He received a B. Mus. in organ performance, from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, a M. Mus. in organ performance and composition from Birmingham- Southern College, and a D.M.A. in organ performance and musicology from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He was President of the Association of Anglican Musicians from 1989-1991 and established the AAM Placement Office. He was the receipient of numerous awards.