Begining in 1770, Grotz worked as an organist and court tavern keeper at the Benedictine Abbey in Vornbach (Lower Bavaria). How and where his education took place is not known. As a new monk, he was advised to marry the widow of his predecessor for the sake of providing for his wife and children. Until the dissolution of the monastery in 1803, he conscientiously performed his duties there, composed numerous organ and church pieces, and thus acquired a high musical reputation in the surrounding area. Since he didn't practice any skilled trade , he was considered professionless by the appointed authorities when the monastery was dissolved. Only by official proof of his certificate of employment was he granted a pension on the grounds that he could probably not expect to live much longer. However, he was able to enjoy his life for a full 14 years, while one of his sons continued to operate the court tavern.
