Tonight was the first of two Hallock at 100 concerts that I will be attending this weekend at St. Mark’s Cathedral, dubbed “The Holy Box” because of its shape like a cube.

The evening began with a pre-concert conversation with Mel Butler (Peter Hallock’s immediate successor, now retired from the Cathedral and serving St. Luke’s in Renton); Roger Sherman (Associate Organist Emeritus and proprietor of Loft Recordings); and Markdavin Obenza (conductor of the Byrd Ensemble, former Compline Choir member and worked with Peter at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church).

Jason Anderson, who succeeded Peter Hallock as director of the Compline Choir, moderated the discussion by asking the following questions:

1. How did you come to know Peter Hallock?
2. What is your favorite piece by Hallock?
3. Why should we still perform Hallock’s music today?

I was pleasantly surprised to hear the Ionian Psalter mentioned as one of the favorites. The Ionian Psalter was our first big publication after the triumvirate of Peter Hallock, Carl Crosier and myself formed Ionian Arts, Inc. in 1986. Peter composed 212 gradual psalm settings for SATB choir, organ and congregation.

The concert was performed in three sections, performed by the Compline Choir, countertenor José Luis Muñoz, and the Byrd Ensemble. From the program, “Structured as a triptych, each set reflects on Hallock as champion of early music, Hallock as composer, and Hallock as countertenor performer.”

From the program: To discover Hallock the mystic and composer, one need only experience his music in the “Holy Box” that is Saint Mark’s Cathedral. It is that “Holy Box” that provides both a physical space and musical landscape in which to hear, process, and intuit Hallock’s music. Hallock married text and music in ways that allow listeners to experience something wholly unique, something beyond themselves, something numinous.

Although tonight’s concert contained both Hallock and non-Hallock music, it was hard not to deny that Peter’s spirit was definitely here. In fact, Jason Anderson said it best at the conclusion of the pre-concert discussion: “This place speaks Hallock and continues to speak Hallock.” That is to say, the mystical, innovative and unique style of Peter Hallock has permeated and will be forever embedded in the walls of this cathedral.