John Cromwell Holtz

John Cromwell Holtz, formerly of Farmington, died at McLean Home on Monday, (October 29, 2001) after a lengthy illness. He was born in 1936 in Baltimore, MD, the son of Florence (Wickers) and John Holtz. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1957 with a Bachelors Degree with honors and in 1962 from the University of Michigan with a Masters Degree in Music. He was a member of Phi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honorary Fraternity which recognizes outstanding scholarship and superior musical achievement. Professor Holtz held positions as organist-choirmaster at St. Thomas's Episcopal Church, Mamaroneck, NY, and in 1964 became director of music and organist at the Historic Center Congregational Church in Hartford, a position which he held until 1984. From 1957-68, he was associated with Allen Organ Studios of White Plains, NY, and Hartford. In 1964, he was appointed to the Adjunct Faculty at the Hartt School of the University of Hartford, becoming Acting Chairman of the Organ Department in 1966. In 1968, Professor Holtz was made Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Organ and Liturgical Music Department at Hartt. In 1972, he became an Associate Professor gaining tenure in 1974, and becoming a full Professor in 1983. He retired from the Hartt School in 1991. Professor Holtz worked diligently to promote the Organ and Liturgical Music Department at Hartt and was dedicated to the many students whom he taught there. He taught several students working on Doctoral degrees and a number of his students followed advance studies in Germany, France and England. Professor Holtz was responsible for obtaining several pipe organs for the school and served as organ consultant to many area churches. During his years in Hartford he was instrumental in bringing many national and international concert organists to the area. From 1971 to 1984, he founded and directed the International Contemporary Organ Music Festival which presented and commissioned many compositions from both well-known and lesser-known composers. He served as Dean and Sub-Dean of the Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists as well as on the Academic Standing, Faculty Senate Select, Curriculum, Promotion and Tenure, and University Scholar Committees, and chaired the Hartt Task Force on Performance Committee. He was elected as Faculty Representative to the Hartt Board of Trustees in 1982. Concerts, radio broadcasts, lectures and master classes were given in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Nigeria, France, Sweden and other places around the world. For a number of years he hosted the popular local radio show, The Organ Loft. He conducted a number of choral concerts with orchestra in Hartford at Center Church, the Wadsworth Atheneum, other local churches and the Bushnell including performances of both of Bach's Passions. In 1979, he undertook a six month sabbatical traveling around the world during which he studied music, specifically contemporary organ music. In 1987, he became the first professor from the University of Hartford to engage in an exchange professorship, teaching at the Hochschule fur Musik in Stuttgart, Germany. Professor Holtz adjudicated a number of organ competitions in the United States. He is survived by a cousin, Donald Vogelgesang of Berwyn PA; and by his long-time friend, Bruce Henley of Wethersfield. The Burial Office will be held at Trinity Church, 300 Main St., Wethersfield, on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. There are no calling hours. Committal will be at St. John's Church, Naples, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the choir and music at the Center Church Memorial Fund, 60 Gold St., Hartford 06103. The D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield is in charge of the arrangements.