“In paradisum deducant angeli” (May angels lead you to paradise)

From the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, The Right Rev. Greg Rickel“

I have just received word that Dr. Peter Hallock, long time Choirmaster, Director of Music at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Composer, the first layperson in the Episcopal Church to be named Canon Precentor, Creator of Compline and friend and pastor to so many died this afternoon at his home. 

He will be deeply missed, but his legacy is profound and enduring.   He helps guide the angel choirs now.

This from the Compline Choir website

Few musicians have been more important to modern Episcopal church music than Peter Hallock. During his 40 years at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, he produced a remarkable legacy: a daunting number of published and unpublished compositions, including numerous motets as well as large-scale anthems with instrumental accompaniment. A three-year cycle of psalm settings for choir with congregational antiphons is the most popular Psalter in common use in both the Episcopal and Lutheran denominations in the United States.

At the Cathedral itself, Hallock’s legacy includes the acquisition of the landmark Flentrop tracker organ, the weekly Compline service, the annual Messiah performances on period instruments (no longer done in this millennium), and a national reputation for the great musical tradition he brought about.

The popularity of Compline at St. Mark’s spawned a revival in interest in this service, now included in the prayer books of Lutheran and Episcopal denominations worldwide. His musical accomplishments have been recognized by numerous degrees and honors: Doctor of Sacred Music, honoris causa, from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (the Episcopal seminary of the western United States); Associate of the Royal School of Church Music; Associate of the Royal College of Music; Master of Music in Organ Performance and Composition (University of Washington); Canon Precentor (emeritus), St. Mark’s Cathedral; and Canon of Honor, Diocese of Olympia. Dr. Hallock was the first layman in the Episcopal Church to be given the title of Canon Precentor, indicating his importance not only as a composer and musician, but also as a contributor to the liturgy of St. Mark’s and the Diocese of Olympia.

The above text is adapted from notes to the recording Cathedral Anthems: premiere recordings of music for choir, organ brass, and percussion by Peter R. Hallock. Loft Recordings, ©1995

Published Music: www.ionianarts.com 

Doctoral Dissertation by Jason Anderson, DMA, 2007. The life and works of Peter R. Hallock (b. 1924)  Also available on the Compline Choir Website 

Here is a video interview with Peter Hallock by Markdavin Obenza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRiCHHVls60#t=30

Almighty God, with whom still live the spirits of those who die in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful are in joy and felicity: We give you heartfelt thanks for the good examples of all your servants, who, having finished their course in faith, now find rest and refreshment. May we, with all who have died in the true faith of your holy Name, have perfect fulfillment and bliss in your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.