Lou Magor
Seattle Artists’ Board of Directors mourn the death of Louis Magor, a founder and beloved impresario of Kenyon Hall. Lou was the very heart and soul of our organization. Since its inception as a venue in 1993, Lou’s vision and joyful leadership shaped the quirky, comfortable, and quality performance space that is now Kenyon Hall. Lou brought a depth of experience and a mischievous sense of humor to every facet of running the Hall. We have long been inspired by his enthusiasm for booking quality entertainment. He drew on a broad network of friends and colleagues in the entertainment world and in the community at large to sustain the delightful variety of events on the Hall’s calendar. He managed the upkeep of an old building with unflappable cheerfulness. We are especially grateful for his skill and guidance in procuring the wonderful Steinway grand piano for the Hall as well as the Wurlitzer theater organ.
Even as we mourn the loss of a truly elegant musician who was our great friend, leader, and mentor, we dedicate ourselves to the task of moving forward as an organization with thoughtfulness, care, and joy. It will be difficult without him, but we will work especially hard to share his legacy and bring back as much joy as possible.
Louis Magor (1945-2021) was a native of Auburn, Nebraska, where he was a celebrated piano prodigy, taught originally by his mother, and then studying privately with another teacher. His name was in the local papers before he was even a teenager, playing piano concerts, directing choruses, and even dancing. An outgoing student, he was active in the Boy Scouts and crowned King of the May at Auburn High School.
Magor moved to San Francisco in 1974 after earning a Bachelor of Music Education and Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. He was then invited by renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa to be the first conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, a position he held for a decade. During his time in San Francisco, he inaugurated the Sing It Yourself Messiah, a Christmastime musical event that raised thousands of dollars for the S.F. Conservatory of Music and became a much beloved tradition. The joyous event was televised live by KQED Public Broadcasting Service to millions of viewers and was simultaneously broadcast on KQED Stereo FM radio. While in San Francisco, Mr. Magor was also the Conductor of the Bohemian Club Chorus. Before accepting a job as Musical Director of the Seattle Bach Choir, Magor was the Music Director of the S.F. Boys Chorus and Music Director and accompanist to Broadway legend Mary Martin, with whom he traveled extensively, including to the Reagan White House. He subsequently became Music Director at Wallingford [Seattle] United Methodist Church, and Manager of Kenyon Hall, a non-profit performance space in West Seattle. As accompanist to the Total Experience Gospel Choir (Rev. Patrinell Wright, Director), he has traveled around the world and across and U.S. for a series of concerts that raised money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. In 2012, he spent many months on the road with Ann and Nancy Wilson, as chorus director for the legendary rock band “Heart.” A highly regarded educator, Magor conducted classes of Kindermusik at Kenyon Hall and the private Tilden School. At the time of his death, his virtual classes were highly successful and gratifying to students and parents alike.
The Seattle Artists Board of Directors sincerely thanks Peter Mintun for compiling this biography for us.
A tribute to Lou Magor, made in part thanks to the efforts of our Board of Directors, Executive Team, and all those who loved Lou from around the country and shared so many memories with us.