Everett Jay Hilty Sr.

Everett Jay Hilty, Sr., 96, (CU organist and teacher for 38 years) died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, in Manhattan, KS.

Everett Jay Hilty was born in Queens, New York, April 2, 1910, the youngest of six children born to George Richard and Grace May Rhoda Lamb Hilty. When Everett was nine his family moved to Palatka, Florida. On May 9, 1935 he married Rose Elizabeth Vann in Roanoke, Alabama.

Everett's early career ranged from playing organ in various churched and radio stations in Miami and Denver to a six-year stint as organist with the Denver Symphony, Assistant Director of the Denver Festival Chorus, and organist for St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Denver. He was a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and served that group in many capacities.

He received his B.Mus. from the University of Michigan, and his M.Mus. from the University of Colorado, both in organ performance. He did graduate study in sacred music at Union Theological Seminary in New York, also serving there as visiting lecturer for a year.

Joining the U. of Colorado faculty in 1940, he was named head of the Division of Organ and Church Music in 1951, a position he held until he retirement in 1978. During his tenure at CU Everett formed the University Handbell Ensemble, a group he continued to direct for a number of years after becoming a Emeritus Professor. His published compositions include works for organ, handbells, and choir anthems.

Everett had an extensive career as a concert organist and carillonneur, playing literally hundreds of recitals throughout the U.S., and was the official carillonneur for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. The electronic carillon at CU is named in his honor.

In 1982 he was honored by CU as the Outstanding Alumnus in the field of music, and in 1995 he was awarded the University Medal for his many years of service to CU as official carillonneur.

He served as Organist and Choir Master for the First Congregational Church in Boulder for 25 years, and gave the pipe organ from his home for use in the new chapel in the Boulder church.

The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers named Everett an Honorary Life Member in 1982, and his own five-state Area in AGEHR selected him as a charter member of their Ring of Fame just this year.

Initiated into Rotary in 1943, Rotary played a most important role in Everett's life for the 63-years he was a member, both in Boulder and Manhattan.

Everett was a great punster who enjoyed creating poems and limericks for the family's humorous Christmas, birthday and anniversary cards. His musical talent was exceeded only by his wit!

His second love was organic gardening. He use to say, "If it weren't for music, I would have been a farmer!"

Survivors include three sons: E. Jay Hilty, Jr. (Joyce) of Boulder; Richard L. Hilty of Fort Collins, CO; C. Vann Hilty (Jill) of Boulder; five grandchildren; Sherre Piantineda (Greg) of Seattle, Richard Hilty (Michelle) of Olive Bridge, NY; Curtis Hilty (Kelly) of Broomfield; Wyn Hilty (Bob Settles) of Seattle; and, Jay Hilty (Dora) of Denver, and Nine great-grandchildren: Zach, Sean, Kyle, Annalisa, Kyla, Carter, Rowan, Cealen and Finn, and his companion of four years, Joan Shull.

The Irvin Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan is in charge of arrangements, and a memorial service will be held at Macky Auditorium on the CU Boulder Campus, Boulder, CO. on March 31, 2007. Donations maybe made in his name to the Organ Fund at the First Congregational Church 1128 Pins St. Boulder, CO.