 |
|
Jim Cowan was born on Sept. 26, 1952 in Gunnison, Co. Growing up in Colorado he was very involved in sports. He participated in competitive ski racing, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, and many outdoor activities. His Dad was a recreation director for the city, and his Mom taught music in the Elementary school. Jim’s early music training included piano lessons from his mother, and voice lessons from a retired voice teacher and friend of the family. After high school, Jim studied music at Western State College in Gunnison, and at Emporia State Teacher’s College in Emporia, Kansas. His training included classical voice, piano, theory and harmony of music, and general studies. It was while he was at Emporia State that Jim experienced a spiritual conversion, and began to seek for God’s direction in his life. He withdrew from school and went to the Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico. It was there that he converted to Catholicism, and began to write songs for liturgy and worship.
While at Pecos, he met his future wife, Mary, who had gone there after high school seeking God’s direction for her life. She also was raised in Colorado and was one of eight children. Her family had been going to the Pecos Monastery for family retreats each summer while she was growing up.
Jim and Mary were married in Leadville, Co. in Dec. 1974, and made their home in Crested Butte, Co. After a winter of enjoying the skiing, and beauty of the Colo. Rockies, they moved to Massachusetts where Jim resumed his music studies. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music and graduated from there with a degree in Voice in 1980. That same year, they were blessed with their first child, Katherine. They soon moved to Steubenville, Ohio to be part of a covenant community, of which they belonged to until 1990. During this time and up until 2004, Jim worked as Director of Music for Conferences at Franciscan University. He had the privilege, each summer, of leading thousands in praise and worship. It was especially rewarding to lead worship at the many Steubenville Youth Conferences! What an honor to see the mighty works of God changing lives and touching these young people!
 |
| Jim
Cowan with Pope John Paul II. |
|
Two more children blessed their family - James, in 1983, and Michele in 1985. As the children grew, they were able to do a lot of singing as a family. They began to do Eucharistic holy hours and concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada. One of their greatest blessings was being able to go to Rome to sing for the “Fire In Rome” pilgrimage sponsored by Franciscan University. On this particular journey, Jim was privileged to be able to meet the late Pope John Paul II, and sing at his private Mass!
New updates on Jim Cowan family coming soon!
