McDowell, Austin J. (1920-2013) | University of Illinois Archives

Austin Johnston McDowell (1920-2013) was a clarinettist, conductor, and University of Illinois School of Music faculty member (1946-1988) and director (1986-1988). The son of Mary Forbes Johnston and Austin Ormand McDowell, he was born on September 15, 1920, in Heyworth, IL.  After completing his Bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois, he served as a United States Navy pilot during World War II. Following his service, he returned to the University of Illinois, completing his Master's degree in 1946.

In that same year,  McDowell was appointed Woodwind Instructor and Assistant Conductor with the university band program at the University of Illinois. On January 23, 1947, he married Ellen Jane Attebery, with whom he had seven children. He also played regularly with the Illinois Woodwind Quintet and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. In 1976, he became Chairman of the Wind Instrument Division and later served as the Director of the School of Music from 1986 to 1988, retiring shortly thereafter.

Over the summers, McDowell served as a conductor and woodwind instructor at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, MI, The Bemidji Summer Camp in Bemidji, MI, and Western State University in Gunnison, CO. He attended Holy Cross Church in Champaign and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and the Music Educators National Conference. Despite being struck with Alzheimer's disease later in life, McDowell found great satisfaction in his work with his students. He died at the age of 93 on December 4, 2013, in Urbana, IL