It is with great sadness that the TBA family says goodbye to Cantor Jerome Holland. It was my pleasure to sing with him during our 100th anniversary celebration. I wanted to share his bio with you from that event:
Cantor Jerome Holland
Prior to my Cantorial training, I enjoyed an extensive career initiated as a teenager on Radio and after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, I studied voice for two years at Columbia University Teachers College in New York City with the renowned Irish Tenor Harry Wilson. The next four years – under scholarship from the Metropolitan Opera Guild – were spent studying with Leo Braun (Ass’t Conductor – New York Metropolitan Opera Co. Orchestra). This was followed by five years of study under the musical tutelage of Oscar Julius (Renowned Composer, Conductor and Music Director). Concert performances throughout the United States to Tsing-Tau, China – interpreting the Songs of all nations – from Folk to Opera – for the Lecture Bureaus, as well as Stage, Clubs, Recording, Television and the USO for our Troops around the world.
I received my Orthodox background by studying for five years with the very same renowned Choral/Choir – Music Director Oscar Julius. This is the famous Oscar Julius who worked with Kapov Kagan, Moshe Koussevitsky, David Koussevitsky, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker, Zim Brothers, et al. I was graduated from and earned my B.A. in Cantorial Studies, a Cantorial Certification and a Principal’s Certificate in Hebrew Studies from the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion. I continued with Temple Beth Abraham (Temple of Twin Chapels), Tarrytown, New York wherein I spent 16 years in residence and left as Cantor Emeritus. Prior to this, I officiated throughout New York State, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
May his memory be for a blessing!
