J. Reilly Lewis dead at 71

J. Reilly Lewis, conductor of the Washington Bach Consort and music director of the Cathedral Choral Society, died June 9. He was 71. Lewis served since 1972 as organist and choirmaster at Clarendon United Methodist Church, Arlington, Virginia. In 1977 he founded the Washington Bach Consort. Since 1985 Lewis had served as music director of the 140-voice Cathedral Choral Society; under his leadership, more than 20 new works were commissioned, and the group made nine recordings.

Born in 1944 in California, Lewis moved with his family to Arlington at a young age. His career in music began before the age of 10; he served as a choirboy at the Washington National Cathedral. He earned a bachelor of music degree from Oberlin College and two advanced degrees, including a doctorate, from the Juilliard School of Music.

J. Reilly Lewis is survived by his wife, Beth Lewis, of Arlington; a daughter from a previous marriage, Lauren Lewis, of New York; and a grandson.