His conservative music showed the influence of Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann and the Leipzig school, though as a conductor he offered Dutch audiences the more revolutionary music of Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner.
In 1862, when Johannes Verhulst was appointed to the position, Hol removed to Utrecht, where he came to occupy the center of musical life, taking up the post of Ferdinand Kufferath in directing the city concerts (stadsconcerten) and the Utrecht Toonkunstkoor for the remainder of his life.
From 1875 he served as director of the Stedelijke Muziekschool at Utrecht, teaching music theory and history himself.
Among his prominent pupils were Johan Wagenaar, who succeeded him as teacher and cathedral organist, Catharina van Rennes, and Hendrika Tussenbroek.
His posthumous reputation remained largely confined to Dutch audiences and choral singing groups, until his four symphonies began to be recorded at the close of the 20th century.