Leo Schwartz is a composer of concert music and works of musical theatre, and is the Founder and Conductor of the Clark Street Band. He also served as the Conductor for the Debut Concert of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. In October of 2006, he formed Chicago Performing Artists , a Not-For-Profit performance organization for which he is Artistic Director. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and a member of ASCAP, his concert and theatre works have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and in the United Kingdom.

The 2007 season includes:

  • NAUGHTY! - The Musical World of Emmet Taylor Farkas receives the DIRECTOR'S CHOICE AWARD at the 2007 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Performance Schedule www.nymf.org
  • Leo conducts the Debut Concert of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble with guest artists the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's John Bruce Yeh and Larry Combs . Performance is 7:30 on Monday, December 10 at Northeastern Illinois University.
  • MP3's and PDF's of 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird for Clarinet, Piano, and Stage Voice now posted in the Composition Section of this website.
  • Please visit www.clark-street-band.com for information regarding Write Your Life Into Song!, an Educational Program designed by Leo and geared towards Gay & Lesbian youth!!!

His compositions and works of musical theatre have been recognized by The National Musical Theatre Network, The New York Musical Theatre Festival, ASCAP, The International Festival of Musical Theatre, and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education.

Currently, in addition to the regular constant stream of compositions, Leo is working on a film score and a new work of musical theatre.

Leo lives in Chicago with his spouse, Dan Maher.