Remembering Instructor Emeritus George Tutwiler

The Rev. George E. Tutwiler died peacefully in Pittsburgh  April 16, 2020. George served as organist/choirmaster and instructor in church music and United Methodist Studies at PTS from 1981-2011, when the Seminary awarded him faculty emeritus status. In 2013, PTS established The Rev. George E. Tutwiler Scholarship Endowment to honor his 30 years of service here.

George received his bachelor’s in music and English from Geneva College, where he became a lecturer in music. He earned a certificate in theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary and took graduate studies at Union (N.Y.) Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music and the University of Pittsburgh. Widely known as a recitalist, conductor, clinician, and lecturer, he was dean of the American Guild of Organists’ Pittsburgh Chapter and served as the Guild’s councilor for Mid-Atlantic States for eight years. He also served a six-year term as national director of the Committee on Seminary and Denominational Relations and a vice president of the Pittsburgh Concert Society.

An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, George was a member of the World Methodist Council. For nearly 40 years, he was an associate pastor/minister of music at three Pittsburgh area churches: First UMC of Pittsburgh, Eastminster PC, and Coraopolis UMC. He also served interims, including at Memorial Park PC and First PC of Pittsburgh. A member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, as well as the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, his interests focused on global congregational song and the renewal of liturgy and music in the church. 

A memorial service will be held at a later time. 

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