Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

VPA Remembers Professor Emeritus William ‘Will’ O. Headlee

Friday, December 18, 2020, By Erica Blust
Share
College of Visual and Performing ArtsHendricks Chapelorgan musicSetnor School of Music

William “Will” O. Headlee, professor emeritus of organ in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music and Syracuse University organist emeritus, passed away on Nov. 9, in Syracuse. He was 90.

Headlee came to Syracuse University to study with noted organist Arthur Poister and earned a master of music degree in 1953, following undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Jan Philip Schinhan. He retired from the University in May 1992 after 36 years of teaching, academic service and continuous choir directing activity, including six seasons with the Hendricks Chapel Choir.

Professor Emeritus Will HeadleeHeadlee was active in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and the Organ Historical Society, performing at many conventions. He served as organist at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse from 1992 until his passing.

“Headlee was a lifelong mentor and friend to me and many other organ students,” says Jim Potts ’74, who serves as organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Syracuse. “His influence on me as an organist and a church musician was unsurmountable.”

In 2010, Headlee helped celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University’s Holtkamp Organ in Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College with a performance of pieces that he particularly connected to the organ, including Seth Bingham’s Rhythmic Trumpet (No. 4 from Baroques, 1944), which was recorded and shared by the Syracuse chapter of the AGO. He also moderated panel sessions and helped develop content for the 2019 Syracuse Legacies Organ Conference, an event celebrating Poister, Walter Holtkamp Sr. and Calvin Hampton.

“I am so grateful I had a chance to get to know Will Headlee over the past seven years,” says Anne Laver, assistant professor of organ in the Setnor School and current University organist. “He was a first-rate musician with a keen ear, and you could always count on him to give you his honest opinion of a performance. Will represented the best of humanity. He was kind, generous and devoted to his students.”

A celebration of Headlee’s life will be held at a later time. Memorials in honor of him can be directed to the Setnor School of Music by contacting Mike Grannis, assistant director of development and alumni relations, at 315.708.2377 or mjgranni@syr.edu.

  • Author

Erica Blust

  • Recent
  • Falk Professor Advocates for Including Autistic Adults in Research That Shapes Their World
    Monday, April 19, 2021, By Matt Michael
  • Campus Resources Available for Faculty, Staff and Students
    Monday, April 19, 2021, By News Staff
  • Call to Volunteer: Give Back at The Big Event
    Monday, April 19, 2021, By News Staff
  • Fusion of Art and Science Leads to Discovery
    Monday, April 19, 2021, By Ellen de Graffenreid
  • Architecture Instructor Wins 2021 Ragdale Ring Competition
    Monday, April 19, 2021, By Julie Sharkey

More In Campus & Community

Campus Resources Available for Faculty, Staff and Students

The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd is reaching its final phase, with jury deliberations to begin early this week. Coverage of the trial and constant reports of racially-motivated violence weigh heavily…

Call to Volunteer: Give Back at The Big Event

Join us for Syracuse University’s largest student-run day of community service, The Big Event, an annual opportunity for students to support local nonprofit organizations within the city of Syracuse. The Big Event will be hosted on Saturday, May 1, from…

Dining Centers to Resume In-Person Dining Monday, April 19, at 11 a.m.

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff: With more and more community members receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and as infection rates on our campus gradually decline, Syracuse University is taking action to expand indoor, in-person dining options. Beginning at 11 a.m. on…

Libraries Receive Two Access and Digitization Grants

Cross-campus collaborations led by Syracuse University Libraries’ Digital Library Program has resulted in two Central New York Library Resources Council (CLRC) access and digitization grants. One grant is for $1,000 to create metadata for 200 objects from the collection of…

Pre-Registration Open for On-Campus Vaccine Clinic

Dear Students: In anticipation of potentially receiving more vaccine in the coming days, the Barnes Center at The Arch is reopening the pre-registration form for those interested in receiving the vaccine on campus. Please complete the form to indicate your…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.