One of the most important aspects of being a musician is teaching. Almost all great musicians have some sort of teaching role whether it be masterclasses, professorship at a university, or having a private studio. The experience of having a wonderful teacher is shared by almost all musicians and is personally one of the reasons I value the power of music so highly.

My organ teacher Joel Krott is a prime example of an amazing musician. He began playing the organ in high school and studied under the organist at his local church, the Moravian Church in Bethlehem. He later attended one of Robert Elmore’s recitals and decided that studying with the famous teacher and virtuoso organist was the next step. He continued with his musical education and completed a music performance degree in organ from Philadelphia Musical Academy. Later, he attended a masterclass in Haarlem, Holland where he discovered his love for the Danish people and their style of playing. He pursued classes with Grethe Krogh of the Royal Danish Conservatory and studied with her for five summers in Copenhagen. During his time in Denmark, Mr. Krott formed a lasting bond that would later allow him to take several choirs on tours of the country.

Subsequently, in February of 1972, he was hired as the Musical director at the First Presbyterian Church in Moorestown, where he worked until retirement. While there, he created a flourishing music program with four children’s choirs and one adult choir. His work with music was not just limited to the church, and started a chamber orchestra which later evolved into the West Jersey Chamber Music Society. This group of musicians performed independent concerts and accompanied the church choirs in their annual concert. The orchestra’s involvement was one of the unique aspects of Mr. Krott’s choir program that made it so valuable to his students. I am still a member of the Chapel choir at the church and since his retirement, I have realized what a gifted and dedicated conductor he was as well as the fact that the opportunities he provided the choirs with were rare and extraordinary. 

As a student of Mr. Krott’s, as well as a singer in four of his choirs, I continue to believe that teachers are some of the most important people in this world because they serve as inspirations for so many and demonstrate the numerous possibilities of pursuing one’s passions. Mr. Krott has always had a presence that makes me want to learn more about the organ and music in general, and while studying with him, I have learned so much about what makes music so beautiful that so many choose to pursue it.