Paul Halley

Paul Halley was born in Romford, England, and received his early musical training in Ottawa, Canada. At the age of sixteen, he was made an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. He was awarded the organ scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, Halley received his M.A. with prizes in composition and performance and was made a fellow of the Royal College of Organists, winning first prize in the College examinations. Via a circuitous route involving two years in Jamaica, West Indies, Halley became organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City where he served for twelve years, from 1977 to 1989, transforming the Cathedral's music program into a rich combination of classical and contemporary music.

Paul conducting at TanglewoodConcurrent with his tenure at the Cathedral, Halley became a principal member of The Paul Winter Consort, and earned four Grammy Awards for his contributions as featured writer and performer on many Consort recordings. Halley's music has been performed and by many notable artists and ensembles, including the New Jersey Symphony and John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Following his departure from the Cathedral in 1989, Halley settled in rural Northwestern Connecticut and founded Joyful Noise, Inc., the non-profit organization which administers the activities and tours of his children's choir, Chorus Angelicus and the adult ensemble, Gaudeamus. In the fall of 1999, Halley became director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church, Torrington, CT. Halley's compositions and recordings are available from Pelagos Incorporated, the music publishing and recording company for which he acts as Creative Director. Paul Halley lives with his wife Meg Race on a mountaintop retreat in Northwestern Connecticut. In the summer they spend time in the islands off the south shore of Nova Scotia enjoying visits from their six children and messing around in an endearing catboat, which rejoices in the name "Magnificat".

Chorus Angelicus

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