Dr. Joseph Holt has enjoyed a wide-ranging musical career as conductor, pianist, chamber music performer, arts administrator, educator, and arranger. He served as Artistic Director for the Choral Artists of Sarasota for the past sixteen years, presenting a series of engaging choral concerts in the Sarasota area. Under Dr. Holt's leadership, the ensemble presented multiple regional and world premieres of new choral works as part of their mission, and they have been praised for their vocal finesse and powerful performances. Holt led the ensemble on two successful international tours - the 2012 Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Italy and to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Invasion in France, 2024. He also served as Director of Artist Programs for seven years for the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, annually engaging emerging and established musicians to perform in Sarasota, Florida. He is the producer and host for Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning's Music Monday programs, musical conversations with artists from around the world that offer insight into the lives of leading musicians. He served as Director of Music for Faith Lutheran Church in Sarasota from 2012-2022. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota recognized his achievements in the arts with the Artistic Achievement Award in 2017. He serves on the Board of Directors for Sarasota Music Archives and Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning.
Prior to moving to Sarasota, Dr. Holt served more than twenty years as principal pianist with The United States Army Chorus in Washington, DC, performing for US Presidents, dignitaries from around the world and military officials. He also held the position of Associate Music Director for The Choral Arts Society of Washington for fifteen years, performing at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and on international tours to Europe and South America. With Choral Arts, he developed and led the successful Family Christmas Concerts at the Kennedy Center. He has degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Catholic University of America.
Dr. Joseph Holt has enjoyed a wide-ranging musical career as conductor, pianist, chamber music performer, arts administrator, educator, and arranger. He served as Artistic Director for the Choral Artists of Sarasota for the past sixteen years, presenting a series of engaging choral concerts in the Sarasota area. Under Dr. Holt's leadership, the ensemble presented multiple regional and world premieres of new choral works as part of their mission, and they have been praised for their vocal finesse and powerful performances. Holt led the ensemble on two successful international tours - the 2012 Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Italy and to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Invasion in France, 2024. He also served as Director of Artist Programs for seven years for the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, annually engaging emerging and established musicians to perform in Sarasota, Florida. He is the producer and host for Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning's Music Monday programs, musical conversations with artists from around the world that offer insight into the lives of leading musicians. He served as Director of Music for Faith Lutheran Church in Sarasota from 2012-2022. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota recognized his achievements in the arts with the Artistic Achievement Award in 2017. He serves on the Board of Directors for Sarasota Music Archives and Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning.
Prior to moving to Sarasota, Dr. Holt served more than twenty years as principal pianist with The United States Army Chorus in Washington, DC, performing for US Presidents, dignitaries from around the world and military officials. He also held the position of Associate Music Director for The Choral Arts Society of Washington for fifteen years, performing at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and on international tours to Europe and South America. With Choral Arts, he developed and led the successful Family Christmas Concerts at the Kennedy Center. He has degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Catholic University of America.