Mr. Allen Sterwalt

Music Director, St. Francis Xavier Parish, LaGrange

Allen Sterwalt is currently Director of Music at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in LaGrange, IL, which he has held since August of 2003. As director, Allen oversees a vibrant cantor and choral ministry including multiple full-time adult choirs, seasonal adult choirs including the Men’s Schola and Cantorei, along with multiple children’s choirs. Allen is also the principal organist/pianist, playing three of the five weekend liturgies. He has received music degrees from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and DePaul University in Chicago. Allen’s musical training has included both organ and clarinet, with his degree emphasis being clarinet performance. Some of his teachers have included John Bruce Yeh, Larry Combs, Andrea Splittberger-Rosen, Russell Dagon, Jack Snavely and Michele Incenzo of Rome, Italy. Allen currently plays clarinet with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and freelances throughout Chicago.