Yesterday I woke up to a text on my phone that our dear friend, organist and harpist Nyle Hallman, had passed away. That was confirmed in a phone call with her daughter, Kathy Hallman, who was her mother’s constant companion, page turner and harp mover. We send our deepest condolences to the Hallman family at the time of their grief.

I have known Nyle for over fifty years and have admired her musicianship as well as her person. I remember her as a most kind person and in all these years, she has always sent me a Christmas card with a personal note!

In doing a Google search, I discovered this article in the Seattle Times about the Honolulu Boy Choir, founded by Roy and Nyle Hallman.

I want to tell you the story of two people who did that and, in so doing, have enriched their own lives and the lives of thousands of others.

It all began with a question a friend asked Roy Hallman in 1973 in Honolulu. The question was, “Roy, why is there no boy choir in Hawaii?”

It was a fair question, and Roy Hallman was immersed in music. He had a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, a master’s degree from Union Seminary and had done graduate work at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

At the time, he was minister of music at Central Union Church in Honolulu, a position he holds today. His large choir program there includes several choirs for children and young people, which he teaches and directs with great skill.

Nobody was asking him to take on one more responsibility, but the idea of a boy choir for Honolulu intrigued Roy. At first, he asked himself, “Why me?” However, the more he thought and prayed about it, the question became, “Why not me? There is a real need, and why not try to meet it? If not me, who? If not now, when?”

It was not a venture he could undertake alone. But Roy’s wife, Nyle, was also a superb musician. Organist at Central Union Church and principal harpist in the Honolulu Symphony, she was also a very talented arranger and accompanist. Nyle shared her husband’s vision of creating a boy choir. They were the ideal team to initiate the important project.

Today, the choir is comprised of 130 7- to 13-year-old boys, representing more than 80 public, private and parochial schools on the island of Oahu. They are a dramatic cross-section of Hawaii’s people, a blend of many cultural and economic backgrounds. The choir has become an island institution, beloved by the people of Honolulu, and a special attraction for those who visit. Seventy-five members go on tour each year.

The choir has been described as disciplined and hardworking, singers who sell each song with impeccable intonation, consistently beautiful tone, always understandable diction and backed up by imaginative arrangements. Watching the expression on the boys’ faces as they sing is an experience never to be forgotten.

The influence of the Honolulu Boy Choir and the gifts they offer have gone far beyond their island. Their singing has entranced the world-famous Vienna Boys Choir and delighted the vice premier of China. Tours have included concerts at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Another tidbit I found through Google was that Nyle appeared in an episode of the television show, Magnum PI, Season 6, episode 18, March 20, 1986: “Who is Don Luis and Why is He Doing These Terrible Things to Me?” Nyle appeared with her harp, although she did not play it, and was shown pushing it across the floor. The production company built a special harp moving dolly to help her move it which she used for many years. She is listed as “Alicia,” and in other websites, she was listed as “an actress in Magnum P.I” as she had a small speaking part!

I looked back at the post I wrote on Nyle’s 90th birthday, “Nyle’s night,” dated October 21, 2018 which which ten local organists took part from the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists, including Nyle herself who received a sustained standing ovation.

There were many tributes that night (go back and re-read that post), but the one I remember with great fondness is the “Hymn Hallman,” words written by the late Fritz Fritschel, sung to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN. Here’s the tune, in case you don’t remember it.

For nearly thirty years they played
Ecclesiastic music made,
Roy and Nyle
On this isle.
Their skills brought endless harmony
To Union’s faithful company.
With their choirs
All afire.
Roy and Nyle,
On this isle,
Brings a smile.

She sat at organs as a child
Pulling the stops while going wild
On the keyboard,
Like a surfboard.
Her feet and fingers fairly flew,
In major keys and minor, too.
On the keyboard
Like a surfboard,
Fairly sailing
Never failing.
E’er prevailing.

Once taught by Porter and by Sykes,
Coci, McCurdy and the likes
Worthy mentors
Known presenters
They taught her how to play her best,
Pipes, pistons, pedals and celeste.
Worthy mentor
Known presenter
Always giving
For the living
In thanksgiving.

Gave orchestra ephemeral flair,
With sounds of angels’ favorite air,
Fingers strumming,
Harp strings humming,
Her backseat prowess blessed the crowd,
With plucking sounds as on a cloud,
Here crescendo,
There glissando,
Now ritardo,
Soon allegro,
Ne’er pellegro.

Now for the notes as yet unplayed,
We raise our songs in accolade,
Let ‘er ring,
Let’s all sing.
Let music warm the hearts of all
New melodies the crowds enthrall,
Fancy fugues
Prim preludes
All the while,
Shades of Nyle,
All in style.

Oh Nyle, we will miss you.