Julius Otto was appointed cantor at the famous Kreuzkirche or Church of the Holy Cross
in Dresden's historic old town when he was 26.
He held the position for 45 years and his Kreuzchoir became one of the most celebrated church choirs in all of Germany.
He also conducted several choir societies in and around Dresden.
Kotzschmar studied with Julius Otto for more than five years. His hard work, plus exposure to Otto and his choral training techniques, would bear fruit years later when Kotzschmar worked so successfully with the Haydn Association in Portland.
