Remembering John Williams

Director Emeritus of Fine Arts, John Williams, passed away on April 19, 2022 at age 74. John retired as Director of Fine Arts at Park Tudor in 2014 after a 41-year career as a music educator. John joined the school in 1973 to teach choral music to students in grades 7-12 and was named Director of Fine Arts in 1989.

John directed the music program during a pivotal time in the school’s history. When John joined Park Tudor’s faculty, art classes were being held in a small wooden frame building inherited from Lilly Orchard and theater productions were performed “in the round” in the rustic Apple Barn, the former site of cider and apple sales. The school launched a development campaign in the fall of 1974 to raise funds for the Frederic M. Ayres Jr. Auditorium and adjacent multipurpose education building, which were dedicated in November 1976 with a choral program performed by the Park Tudor Madrigals and directed by John.

During his time at Park Tudor, John directed 40 Upper School musicals - 29 with his good friend, retired PT Theater Director, Jerry Grayson. “John was a demanding but wonderful choral director, interested in building large choral groups and huge musical casts,” said Jerry. “He wanted as many students as possible involved in the shows. As fellow artists we didn’t always agree on every artistic choice, but through our mutual respect and desire for students to experience performances of the finest quality, we all created stunning productions. Students were given a clear, strong framework, which allowed them to shine. And they did.”

John instilled a love of music and the arts in generations of Park Tudor students. He was particularly committed to the school’s philosophy of encouraging participation in a variety of activities, and coordinated schedules with longtime Park Tudor Athletic Director, Brad Lennon, to ensure that students could play sports and perform in musical productions.

"John was a passionate lover of music. Principal among his personal passions was his steadfast dedication to his students, encouraging and pushing them to reach the highest levels of musical expression," said Heather Teets, Park Tudor’s Director of Fine Arts. "His students always knew that he was keenly interested in them, and he nurtured them in the classroom and beyond. John had a big heart, and cherished his deep connections with his students, families and colleagues at Park Tudor."

Outside of his work at Park Tudor, John also had a distinguished career as a church musician, serving from 1972 to 1993 as Choral Director at Northminster Presbyterian Church. For many summers, John served as Choral Director at Starlight Musicals in Indianapolis and Kansas City, even performing in several productions himself.

John was celebrated at a service on April 30, 2022, which was attended by numerous former students and colleagues. John will be forever remembered by his Park Tudor family for his innumerable contributions to our community.