It is with much sorrow that we wrote an obituary for Dad. There's so much to say, one possibly can't fit it all in...

Mark A Williams

Internationally known Kodaly instructor, composer, and conductor, Mark A. Williams of Hillsboro, Ohio, born March 22, 1938, passed away in his Hong Kong apartment on April 6, 2013. Mark was active in the Kodaly concept of music education for over forty years. Mark received his Kodaly certification from the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary in 1972. He was a founding member and past president of the Organization of American Kodaly Educators, as well as a founding member of the International Kodaly Society. Mark was a graduate of the US Navy School of Music, Miami University of Ohio, and completed all coursework for EDD at the University of Illinois. As a composer, Mark has written many choral works. His books, Bicinia Americana, choral music, and his children operas have been used throughout the world. He leaves behind a musical legacy, having taught children and adults in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, Curtis School, Colburn School of Performing Arts- Los Angeles, People’s Republic of China, Yew Chung International Schools, HK Baptist University, HK Academy of Performing Arts, Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School- Hong Kong, and many more. He had a passion for teaching English through music, and as such, explored his methods for his program MusikaLingua throughout China and Thailand. 

Mark is survived by his children, Mark, Kevin, and Cathy, and their mother- his best friend Mary Ann Hill-Williams; their seven grandchildren, and their eighth grandchild due in August, 2013.

Hong Kong Memorial services will be held at St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong at 1:30PM on Friday, April 26, 2013. 

Mark’s American service will be held at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (where Mark was the choral director for several years) 8231 Callaghan Road, San Antonio, Texas 78230, at 2:00PM on Saturday, June 8, 2013- reception to follow in the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to “Mark A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund” at Colburn School, 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA90012; USA.

 Teaching a class in Hong Kong

Christmas with his family, 2006

We miss you Dad.

I am creating this blog for family and friends as a tribute to my Dad, Mark A Williams, composer, conductor, teacher, Kodaly expert, friend, father, grandfather.

My Dad passed away unexpectedly almost one week ago. We are all in pain right now, and I hope this brings us all closer together.

My Dad always said he loved the way I wrote, so, I thought it was just natural to create a blog, just for him. However, I want this to be a place for all of us to share (students, friends, family, colleagues) photos, thoughts, memories, music, etc. As such, I will try to figure out how to make this blog as open as possible to others so that they can write.

In the mean time, I'm happy to see many of you, my new friends, on Facebook. He was so loved, that much is clear.

Blessings,
Cathy (Williams) Dietsch