John Hallett From A to Z

After a long lapse of time, I am back and will continue to maintain my blog. Many things have happened in the last year and a half. Among the events of this time has been continuing research project about the life of an outstanding musician John C. Hallett (August 22, 1917 – June 1, 2000). In the coming days we will look at John Hallett From A to Z.

Today features a brief biographical sketch of his life. In coming days these areas will be dealt with in more depth. Although I never had the privilege of personally meeting Mr. Hallet, I have become acquainted with him through researching his music, his writings, interviewing family members and friends, as well as former students and colleagues.

As I present this material I am especially interested in any stories you might have regarding Mr. Hallet. If you knew John (or Johnnie as he was known by so many) personally as a former student, colleague, etc., I would be very interested in talking with you and adding your insight to my research. You can e-mail me at rthomass@cbcag.edu .

Now let me introduce to you a musician who had and continues to have an impact on church music in the United States, but whose personal influence lives on around the world in the lives of the many students he touched.

John C. Hallett
August 22, 1917 – June 1, 2000

Pianist, composer and conductor, John C. Hallett began his musical studies as a child in his hometown, Binghamton, New York. In due time, he studied at Moody Bible Institute, New York University and completed several professional choral workshops conducted by nationally known choral conductors. He also studied privately under noted conductor-arrangers Erik Leidzen and Emile Soderstrom.

One of John’s ministries was the formation of the John Hallett Chorale & Orchestra, a superb group of 28 vocalists and 18 instrumentalists. They concretized throughout the Northeast.

John was co-founder of Northeastern Bible College in Essex Fells, New Jersey where he was Chairman of the Music Department for 11 years, also conducting numerous choral workshops and seminars throughout the United States. John was a member of ASCAP and a music editor of the Rodeheaver Publishing Company for fourteen years. John was a lifetime of the Board of Directors of Trans World Radio.

John answered the call of God in 1967 as Minister of Music of First Baptist Church of Lakewood, Long Beach, California, where he served until 1977. In addition to planning music for the services of the church, he directed and supervised the Sanctuary Choir, the Choristers, handbells, children’s and youth choirs, orchestra and ensembles. During this time he continued to arrange and compose.

More than a thousand of his compositions have been published for choirs and instruments. Numerous recordings have been made of his compositions by outstanding Christian artists.

John’s many musical talents along with his desire to use them for God’s glory made him a man greatly admired by his friends, students and co-workers. Along with his wife, Ruth, he made and indelible impression on the world of Christian music and on the lives of hundreds of people.

“… with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7