CELEBRATING ED CLARK: Interview by Jim Barry
- Greater Hartford AGO
- Aug 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 12
Ed Clark
In August, Ed Clark retired from First Church, Farmington after serving there for 60 years. To celebrate this milestone, Ed was interviewed by GHAGO member-at-large Jim Barry on March 10, 2025 about his time at the church and in the Greater Hartford musical community.
Church, Farmington
Quick Facts:
Hometown: Westfield, Massachusetts
Undergraduate Degree: Tufts University
Graduate Degree: Union/School of Sacred Music
Studied organ with: Mildred Andrews and Claire Coci; harpsichord with Eugenia Earle and Davitt Maroney
Started at First Church, Farmington: August 1, 1965
JB: How did you come about taking the position at First Church?
EC: I graduated in June and interviewed at three churches. I liked the building at First Church, and had a nice talk with the Pastor and committee. Farmington was a better fit being closer to home and in New England. My starting salary was $5,000.
What was First Church like at that time?
I was told [at my job interview] that the Church had 800 members, 265 in church school; 75 in Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (the high school youth group); Senior Choir had 16 adults plus eight high school girls; Porter School Choir of 16; Jr. High girls; Youth Choir: 22; Boy’s Bell Choir (Jr. High), seven; Senior Choir sang two Sundays a month; Porter School choir was the main choir except for vacations, Easter and Christmas.
There was a girls’ choir from Miss Porter’s School. Porter School students were required to attend church (one of three: Congregational, Episcopal, or Roman Catholic). In my second year the requirement was taken away, much to the girls’ pleasure. The girls’ choir lasted another semester.
There was a Senior Choir with small numbers when I arrived. Bruce Hector preceded me, going to First Baptist in West Hartford, and some choir members followed him there. I had to build up the choir, and was desperate for sopranos. The Porter girls were there for the first year, but that changed the next year. Mary Clark, a retired teacher at Porter’s and a former organist/choir director at First Church came back to sing for a year.
There was a Junior Choir and a Boys Bell Choir. Also, an Associate Pastor and Christian Education Director.
Farmington was different then. There was a farm with cows nearby, and in the morning and evening the cows would cross Main Street near the church to get to/from the barn. The Town Clerk’s office was in the Parish House, and Barney Library was THE library. The fire station (across the street) would blow the whistle for call; now it’s electric.
When you arrived, there was an Austin organ. How did the Holtkamp come to be installed?
The organ at that time was an Austin of 35-ranks (1927), which was itself a rebuild of a Steere organ: three manuals, no mixtures/mutations, oboe & vox humana (Swell), clarinet (Choir), and harmonic tuba (Great 8' and Pedal 16', enclosed with the Choir). In the 1950’s the church restored the raised pulpit, and the pipes in the front (in a room added around 1901) were moved to the rear center gallery. The organ console remained on the main floor.
Bruce Hector was already talking with Austin to upgrade the organ around 1956. Up to 1965 there were many meetings and nine proposals to modernize the organ ($6,000–$33,000). After several proposals, Holtkamp was chosen to build a new organ. Everything moved upstairs with the organ pipes in the corner. Pews were restored in the old organ area. Typical of Holtkamp of the period, combination action was set up with toggle switches on a board behind the organ pipes. In 1995 the organ was upgraded with solid state action.
What have been some musical highlights at First Church through the years?
Started a recorder consort with area musicians. Some productions: Noyes Fludde (1978 & 2000); Amahl and the Night Visitors (1986); Gilbert and Sullivan Trial by Jury; Broadway & Disney reviews; Farmington Valley Singers concerts.
What has changed from the time you started?
I’ve served under six Pastors and lots of interims.
The choirs have changed through the years. Many different versions of bell choirs, including a father/son choir. There were youth festivals at first. Currently there is an Adult Choir and a Bell Choir.
We published a First Church hymnal supplement that is used regularly.
There was controversy surrounding the church deciding to become open and affirming.
You served as GHAGO Dean from 1973–1975, following Dick Einsel. Anything you want to mention about that time?
At that time there were more active churches and more self-produced events, including choir festivals for youth and for adults. In addition to serving as Dean, I coordinated education exams for years, and was a competition judge for other AGO chapters. In the early 90’s I became Chattervox editor, and did that for thirty years.
Besides First Church, you began quite a career as a harpsichordist and continuo player. When did that start?
In the 1970’s I used harpsichords from Miss Porter’s School, but continuo playing took off after I commissioned a harpsichord from Carl Fudge. The instrument arrived in 1979, and was delivered just days before premiering it with the Hartt Orchestra in Bach Brandenburg V. In fact, the harpsichord was delivered to Hartt rather than my home. The interior lid has my initials: ECC.
How many instruments do you currently have?
The Carl Fudge big harpsichord; Dudash single; Lautenwerk (redone); clavichord; Baldwin grand piano; three-manual Hauptwerk setup; Klop continuo organ.
How did your affiliation with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra evolve?
This started with my playing continuo for the 1983 Messiah. My first official HSO concert was in 1985, Michael Lancaster’s audition concert. At some point I shared duties with David Spicer, who was the Bushnell house organist, playing the more popular events such as travelogues and pops concerts. I played many concerts under Lancaster and his successors.
What has been a highlight of playing with the orchestra?
Performing Camille Saints-Saëns’ Organ Symphony (twice).
How did you come to teach at Hartt?
Al Russsel left Hartt, and I was hired by John Holtz in 1967. The teaching organ at that time was the moveable, highly unified Austin in Millard Auditorium. Whenever there was an opera production, we were bumped from the schedule.
At the dedication of the Gress-Miles studio organ, I opened the concert with Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 680. When the organ was scheduled to be removed, I played the Bach again as the last piece at that farewell concert I organzed.
For many years the Contemporary Organ Festival was held at Hartt, and some concerts were held at First Church.
Any special highlights at Hartt?
I enjoyed Basically Baroque—playing harpsichord with faculty instrumentalists. Also, keeping in touch with students. Many returned for the farewell organ concert.
When are you retiring from First Church, and what plans are being made for that event?
I retire on August 1st but I play my last service on June 1st. There has been extra music these past few months. On the 1st, we will sing Tom Schumtzler’s Soli Deo Gloria, written for my 25th anniversary. Several former choir members will return. The church will hold a gala celebration on Friday, June 6.
Although retiring from First Church, you will remain active in the musical community, including the HSO?
Yes.
Any closing remarks?
My church position was never full-time, only 30 hours. That gave me the opportunity to do the many gigs that came my way through the years, such as working with CONCORA (including Clavierfest & Kids and Keyboards), Orchestra New England, Springfield Symphony, Hartford Symphony, Farmington Valley Symphony, Farmington Chamber Players, Arcadia, and others. My hours were downsized several times and are now 16 hours.
Thank you for taking time for this interview and continuing to be a wonderful colleague and friend to so many in the Greater Hartford musical community.
Jim Barry is a member-at-large of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, minister of music at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Glastonbury, and a former Hartt student of Ed Clark.