Augusto Alejandro Rodriguez Amador

Notes from his autobiography as recounted in "Las Espigas del Sembrador: Un tributo a la memoria de Augusto Rodriguez" by Francisco O'Neill Susoni. Augusto was a child prodigy on the piano. He was playing for bands by age 11. His father wanted him to be a doctor and so when his father relocated the family to Cuba, Augusto at age 16 begins his pre-med studies at the University of Habana. In 1920 he returns to Puerto Rico and continues his studies at the University of Puerto Rico. Students plead with him to play for them during breaks & open periods. At age 17 he is studying at New York University in his 2nd year of premed. He continues playing with musicians during his free time for the students in the dorms at University Heights. His 3rd year of studies are at Columbia University, NY but in 1922 he abandons his studies to help his father in the family business when he is taken ill.

Augusto quickly learns the business. In 1924 at age 20 marries Gloria Garcia. He takes up music in the evening playing at local functions, etc. to supplement his earnings. In 1925 his son Andres is born. Andres became an orthopedic doctor in New York. All the while he continues playing in his orchestra around the island. At age 25 he returns to school and studies at Harvard and the New England Conservatory of Music. In 1934 he returns to PR and teaches at the University of Puerto Rico. In 1936 he becomes the founder of the University of Puerto Rico Chorus and in 1940 it is invited to perform at Carnegie Hall.