Riverside, Calif., November, 2000-- John T. Hamilton, M.Mus, D.Mus. (hon), emeritus professor of music and long-time choral director at La Sierra University, passed away on Friday, November 3.

John T. Hamilton was nationally and internationally renowned for his expertise in music and the arts.  "John T.," as he was known, was born in Keene, Texas on June 28, 1915, of parents Harry H. Hamilton and Mary D. Hamilton.  His father was a distinguished Adventist educator who served as a teacher at Walla Walla College, principal of Auburn Academy, and president of Washington Missionary College.  He was listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education.

John T. was educated at several well-known Adventist centers of learning; Walla Walla College, Auburn Academy, Collegedale, Tennessee, and Washington Missionary College.  In 1933 he graduated from Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland.  The next four years were spent at Washington Missionary College, now Colombia Union College.  His studies in music were taken at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he received the B.Mus. and the M.Mus. degrees.  During these graduate study years he was appointed associate conductor of the University Summer Festival Chorus.  He prepared the chorus for performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Also during the years he worked on his Master's degree, he served as voice teacher and director of choirs at Walla Walla College.  In 1941, he married Arlene Winsor.  They had one son, Thomas H. Hamilton, an attorney in Riverside.

In 1946, John T. went to Andrews University, in Michigan, for one year to teach voice and direct their choirs.  >From there he came to La Sierra, where he remained on the faculty for 33 years, serving La Sierra College and Loma Linda University.  His leadership roles were varied: 14 years as voice teacher and director of choirs, followed by eight years as director of public relations.  During that time, in 1966, he became the founder of Adventist Colleges Abroad, which he directed for 12 years.  In 1973 he became director of choral activities for three years, and for five years was director of university relations.  He retired in 1980.  The title Emeritus Professor of Music was conferred on him in 1982.  He received the Loma Linda University Distinguished University Service Award  in 1987.  He was awarded an honorary D. Mus. by La Sierra University in 1998.

At the invitation of Sir David Willcocks, John T. Spent two summers at King's College, Cambridge University, observing and studying the rehearsal and performance of the King's College Choir.  Later he originated the Sir David Willcocks Choral workshop, held for nine years at La Sierra.  In 1948, Professor Hamilton founded the Collegians, a widely-heard 18-voice choral group from La Sierra, who functioned from 1948 to 1961-- in 1955 becoming the "La Sierrans."  These were the first groups of their kind in Adventist higher education, and soon were copied by other colleges.

John T. traveled widely in more than 70 countries of the world, including The Peoples Republic of China and the Soviet Union.  In 1955, he beganconducting student tours of Europe and around the world -- over 30 tours in all.  These were the first credit-backed student tours in our denominational school system.

He became the founder of the John T. Hamilton Chorale in 1976, which he directed from that year until 1990.  The Chorale became internationally known, performing concerts in Hong Kong, Australia, Scotland, Wales and in England in Canterbury, Exeter and Winchester cathedrals,Westminster Abbey and Worcester where the Chorale was the first American choir ever invited to perform at the prestigious Three Choirs Festival.  John T. attended the Festival 32 times and was asked to contribute articles to the Festival Book and the 250th Anniversary Book.  In 1992, he took the Chorale on a tour of Paris, Brittany and Normandy, giving concerts in the cathedrals of Honfleur, Tours, Chartres and the Madeleine in Paris. 

He served as a member of the Riverside Arts Foundation Board, president of the Riverside Symphony Orchestra, and was a charter member of its Board for 25 years, and was the co-founder of the Friends of LLU-LSC.

First and foremost, he was a musician who lived great music.  He loved poetry and could recite it at length.  He is remembered for his sense of humor and wonderful anecdotes.  He had presence and dignity and a keen appreciation for fine literature.  He enjoyed his contacts with students and endeavored to pass on to them a love for the best and finest.

As one of his former students recently expressed in a letter, "It was not possible to know John T. and not be impressed by the fact that he was always thought BIG.  He was never a static individual.  There were always plans and wonderful ideas pouring out of his magnetic mind.  He saw such potential in his students and knew how to make us look forward to 'what was next.'  We wanted to be a part of his dreams and plans for his choirs, his travel groups, and his visions of excellence."

Dr. Hamilton is survived by his son, John H. Hamilton, who is married to the former Carolyn Williams;  grandchildren Peter Thomas Hamilton, and Sonja Doraine Hamilton-Suarez, who is married to Martin Suarez; and great-grandchildren Estella, Miriam, and Pearl Suarez.

A memorial service was held at La Sierra University Church on November 11. Memorial donations may be made to the John T. Hamilton Scholarship