Sowerby was innate around Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he began to compose at the age of x. His violin concerto was premiered in 1913 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Inside 1921 he was awarded a Rome Prize (from either the American Academy in Rome), the number 1 composer to receive this. Additionally he received a Pulitzer Prize for Music for his cantata the Canticle of the Sun, written in 1946. His material output, of all over Five hundred works, contains numerous works for organ and choir, but as well orchestral and chamber use as well. As a teacher Sowerby's pupils involved Ned Rorem.

He died around 1968 within Port Clinton, Ohio.

Selected works
Choral Cantatas A Canticle of the Sun, mentioned above A Vision of Sir Launfal, in the verse form of James Russell Lowell Forsaken of Human, the passion setting With orchestra Violin concerto, premiered 1913, revised 1924 Festival Musick for organ, brass & timpani The Placed of 4: The Suite of Ironics, published inside 1931 Two symphonies Concert overture for orchestra Organ concerto (1938) Classic concerto for organ & orchestra, 1944 Mediæval Poem for organ, vocalizer & orchestra Concertpiece for organ & orchestra, 1951 Harp concerto Chamber music violin sonatas in A major, B-flat major and D major cello sonata viola sonata (playable on clarinet or even viola) piano trio in C-sharp minor serenade for string quartet in G major published 1921 wind quintet published in 1931 symphony for organ around G piano sonata passacaglia for piano