Hallock at 100
2024 is the centenary of Peter Hallock’s birth, and we launched a bicoastal celebration of Saint Mark’s beloved musician, composer, and liturgist at festival concerts in person at Saint Mark’s Cathedral on February 24 & 25; an on-demand concert presentation is available below. The west coast concerts were made possible in part by The Peter R. Hallock Institute, Association of Anglican Musicians, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, and Classical KING.
Peter R. Hallock (1924-2014)
The compositions of Peter Hallock are rooted in the experience of the numinous — especially through the acoustical space of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, where he spent the major part of his working life. Organist/choirmaster at Saint Mark’s for 40 years (1951-1991) and founder and director of The Compline Choir (1956-2009), Hallock produced works that have greatly enriched the sacred repertoire. He also made a number of pioneering contributions to local and national church music traditions in the United States, promoting such things as the tracker-action organ, the countertenor voice, Easter services with brass and percussion, modern liturgical dramas and processions, and performances with historically-informed instruments. But his most notable gift to the church was the creation of a choir that sings the Office of Compline at St. Mark’s every Sunday evening, attracting attendees in the hundreds, and thousands listening each week to the broadcast — reviving interest in this last of the Divine Hours.
