John Henry Kreitler

Ten-time Emmy-winning composer, John Henry Kreitler, 75, passed away on January 28, 2024 in Northern Kentucky, surrounded by the love of family, friends and his church community. John was born February 6, 1948 in Tillamook, OR. John and his older sisters, Patricia and Susan, were raised in Milwaukee, Oregon by their mother Alice, an accomplished music teacher, church organist and choir director. Early on, she recognized her son's gift for music, but John was focused on sports. Alice offered him a deal: in exchange for taking violin lessons, John could play football. As he later observed, "Violin gave me a passion for life. Football gave me a knee injury for life."

John graduated from Milwaukee High School and attended Lewis & Clark College, earning a BA in Music Composition. While in college, he conducted the Youth for Christ choir and orchestra, organizing tours to Europe and Hawaii. In 1973, John moved to Cincinnati to attend UC's College Conservatory of Music, earning his Master's in Composition. He wrote music for a local film company before founding his own business, Radio Theater Group. He opened a recording studio in downtown Cincinnati, soon joined by long-time partners Wes Boatman and Ed O'Donnell.

John wrote music for advertising, television, and film. He won Emmys composing for daytime dramas As a World Turns, Another World and Guiding Light. He wrote incidental music for several theater productions, including Treasure Island at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. John collaborated with celebrated playwright, David Richmond, to create musical theater adaptations of The Passion of Dracula and Zorro.

In 1982, John the "producer" went to hear singer, Patsy Meyer, perform at a local venue. One kiss and a homemade pot roast later, John married the love of his life on July 18, 1982. Over their 41-year marriage they collaborated and expanded their music careers together and had two children, Chelsea and Chase. John said his family was always the sweetest music in his life.

In 2001, the family moved to Los Angeles where John won Emmys composing for NBC's Passions. John's film/TV music has been heard by audiences all over the world. Other credits include Law and Order, Friends, Homicide, Riviera, Saturday Night Live, and films Material Girls (MGM) and Tribute (Lifetime). John and Patsy are co-creators of Artz Smartz, a book and animated video series introducing young children to music.

John was a devoted member of Madison Avenue Christian Church in Covington, Kentucky and First Christian Church of North Hollywood, California where he wrote sacred music for both choirs. He served as choir director, moderator, elder and chair of worship and music.

Moving into semi-retirement, John gave his full attention to classical music, composing his First Symphony based on the Psalms. John and Patsy discovered the beauty of Puerto Vallarta, where he loved to compose with an ocean view. In PV, along with American violinist Karen Bentley-Pollick, he co-founded the professional chamber music group Virtuousos De Cámara, writing new works for several seasons.

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra commissioned John to write a piece to commemorate the organization's 2024 50th anniversary season. For the occasion, he wrote his Symphony No. 2, The Voices of God, inspired by the poems of Elaine Hewes. It is set to premier on August 10, 2024 as part of CCO's Summermusik series.

His family and friends remember him as a man of creativity, intellect and business acumen. John was a rare musician, supporting his family while living his passion. He was a kind, compassionate, gentle human being who loved God and loved people.

He is survived by his wife Patsy Meyer, children Chelsea Davis Brokordt (Michael) and Chase Kreitler (Liz), and grandchildren, J.D, Calvin and Henry, sister Susan Skinner and niece Abigail Stumvoll.

Celebration of Life will be April 13, 2024 at 1pm at Madison Avenue Christian Church, Covington, KY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

"John Henry Kreitler Memorial Fund", in support of Summermusik/Kreitler which funds a commission competition for composers to write new works. (www.ccocincinnati.org/support) or send check to 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (designate in memo John Henry Kreitler memorial fund)

or Madison Avenue Christian Church (mchurch.com).

Listen to John's music:

www.johnkreitler.com

https://virtuososdecamara.com