Professor Everett Jay Hilty (1910-2006)

Everett Hilty Memorial Service ....

Everett Jay Hilty is well known as an organist, teacher of organ and church music, composer, lecturer, author of several instruction books and numerous articles. His choral, organ, and handbell compositions have been published by twelve major publishers. During his tenure with the University of Colorado (since the mid 1950's), he was for many years head of the Division of Organ and Church Music in the College of Music . Although he retired as professor emeritus in 1979, he continued to direct the university handbell ensembles until 1989.

Professor Hilty is an AGEHR approved workshop clinician and festival director and has presented workshops at several national AGEHR festivals and conventions, as well as conducting regional handbell festivals and workshops. He has also received AGEHR's highest distinction of "Honorary Life Member". Professor Hilty is listed in several "Who's Who" anthologies including the "International Who's Who in Music," London. Today he remains involved with the handbell ensembles by way of guest conducting and composing original handbell scores for the CU ensembles. He recently conducted organ/handbell workshops for the American Guild of Organists' National Convention in Denver. He would often be found playing the university carillon before concerts at Macky Auditorium until he retired from that activity at the age of 85.

NOTE: For information on an alternate to the "chromatic" bell assignment scheme, click on the infamous "Hilty Bell Assignment System" . This is an arrangement of bells introduced by Everett in the '70's and later refined by Karen Pfiffner.

Joan Shull and Everett Hilty (at 94 years young) of Manhattan, Kansas - Sept 28, 2004