John Downey was born in Chicago on October 5, 1927. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree
from DePaul University in 1949 and his Master of Music from the Chicago Musical College in
1951. Thereafter he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in Paris. Downey received a
Prix de Composition from the Paris Conservatoire National de Musique in 1956, and a Ph.D.
from the Sorbonne in 1957. While in Paris he met Irusha Czuszakivna who became his wife; she
also provided the text for some of her husband's works.
In 1964 Downey returned to the United States and was appointed composer-in-residence at
the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1986 UWM honored him with the title of
Distinguished Professor of Music. At UWM Downey maintained a vigorous schedule of teaching,
composing, performing, and conducting. Downey retired from UWM in 1998.
Downey received numerous awards, commissions, and honors throughout his career. He has
written well over sixty compositions, and is an internationally recognized composer and
conductor.
For more information, please see the biographical information folders (box 1, folders 5-6)
in the collection.
