Background
Schwann, William Joseph was born on May 13, 1913 in Salem, Illinois, United States. Son of Henry W. and Effie A. (Garthwait) Schwan.
discographer musician publisher
Schwann, William Joseph was born on May 13, 1913 in Salem, Illinois, United States. Son of Henry W. and Effie A. (Garthwait) Schwan.
Student, Louisville Conservatory Music, 1930-1931; Bachelor of Arts, Univercity Louisville, 1935; Doctor of Music (honorary), University Louisville, 1969; Doctor of Music (honorary), New England Conservatory Music, 1982; postgraduate, Boston University School Music, 1935-1936; postgraduate, Harvard University, 1937-1938.
Organist, music director various churches, Louisville, 1930-1935; organ concerts, broadcasts, 1930-1940; teacher organ, piano, organist, music director, Boston area, 1935-1950; music reviews, Boston Herald music reviews, Boston Transcript music reviews, others, 1937-1939; owner, Record Shop, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1939-1953; member of staff, Radiation Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1942-1945; compiler, public, 1st Long Playing Record Catalog now known as monthly Schwann-1 Recordand Tape Guide, 1949; compiler, public, Artist Listing LP Catalog compiler, public, semi-annual Schwann-2 Record and Tape Guide compiler, public, Schwann Children's Recording Catalog compiler, public, Basic Recording Library compiler, public, Basic Jazz Record Library, 1953-1983; compiler, public, Schwann Record Catalog (now known as quarterly Schwann Opus and Schwann Spectrum Catalogs, annual Schwann Artist Listing Catalog), since 1984; president, treasurer, W. Schwann, Inc., 1957-1977; president, public, chief Executive officer, ABC Schwann Publications, Inc., 1976-1983.
Trustee Marlboro School Music, Boston Ballet Company. Board directors Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Longy School Music, Cambridge Society Early Music. Member National Audubon Society (life), National Parks and Conservation Association (life), New England Wild Flower Preservation Society(life), Save-the-Redwoods League (life), Society for Protection New Hampshire Forests (life), American Forestry Association (life), Trustees of Reservations (life), Wilderness Society (life), Izaak Walton League (life), Nature Conservancy (life), Appalachian Mountain Club (life), Sierra Club (life), Sigma Alpha Iota (honorary).
Clubs: St. Botolph, Harvard of Boston, Harvard Museum Association.
Married Aire-Maija Kutvonen, June 1, 1959.