John Hallett L

L= Leidzen, Erik (occasionally spelled Eric)

Continuing in

John Hallett: From A to Z

Hallett studied privately and was an associate of the internationally known conductor and composer, Erik Leidzen (1894-1962), who was responsible for many arrangements sung by the John Hallett Chorale and Orchestra on their first album. John and Erik were friends up to the day Erik died. Erik arranged many of John’s pieces for choir and orchestra. Click on examples above.

Norman Bearcroft writes about Erik Leidzen: “Among many Salvationists (The Salvation Army) who emigrated to the USA in the late 1920s and early '30s were two remarkable personalities - Erik Leiden, from Sweden, and Emil Soderstrom from Denmark. Both were very gifted composers of music and, as such, made a dramatic impact on Salvation Army bandsmen and songsters.” See his article for biographical information: http://www.brasslink.nl/ldh_composers/Leidzen_Erik.html

For a book on his life, see Erik Leidzen Band Arranger and Composer by Ronald W. Holz, 1990 published by Edwin Mellin Press “Deals with the life of Erik Leidzen, a band arranger and composer for the Salvation Army who was among the first generation of American musicians to be able to maintain a profession as a writer/arranger of band music.”

For more biographical information, visit the Salvation Army International Heritage Center
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki_ihc.nsf/vw-sublinks/912727EAA97B2BCF8025750D00498065?openDocument

Eric Leidzen was very involved with the Salvation Army, writing many scores for the Salvation Army bands and ensembles, along with arrangements for bands and orchestras across the country.

The Journal of Aggressive Christianity in its Issue 47 – February – March, 2007 lists the JAC 100 Most Influential Salvationists List. Here are the ten most influential in music:

Dean Goffin – 1st grand productions; composer

Eric Ball – composer

Charles Fry – 1st Brass Band

Eric Leidzen – composer

Sidney Cox – song writer

Richard Slater – Father of Salvation Army Music

Bill Himes OF - composer

Arthur Gullidge – composer; bandmaster of 2/22 Battalion Band of Salvationists that died in WW2 battle

Joy Webb OF – Joy Strings

John Larsson – musicals

Life-long learner

John Hallett was a life-long learner. His education continued throughout his life, even when he himself became a clinician. He was always a learner.

John began his musical training in his home town of 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 (Fred Waring, Olaf Christiansen and Peter Wilhousky). He also studied privately under noted conductor-arrangers Erik Leidzen and Emil Soderstrom.

Fred Waring
Peter Wilhousky
Olaf Christiansen
Hawley Ades (arranger for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians)
Erik Leidzen
Emil Soderstrom
Weston Noble

John began his musical training in his home town of 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 (Fred Waring, Olaf Christiansen and Peter Wilhousky). He also studied privately under noted conductor-arrangers Erik Leidzen and Emil Soderstrom.

For example, click on the certificate for the Rodeheaver Sacred Music Conference at Winona Lake in the summer of 1962. He was in prestigious company when you look at the many songwriters who were part of that conference, such as Boersma, Schuller, Brock, Loes, Clayton, as well as the wonderful pianist Gloria Roe.