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Draft:Nicholas Halley

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Nick Halley
Background information
Birth nameNicholas Halley
Born (1982-11-28) November 28, 1982 (age 41)
New York City, New York
Occupation(s)Choral Conductor, Percussionist
Websitenickhalley.com

Nick Halley (born November 28, 1982) is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and choral conductor living and working in Nova Scotia, Canada.[1] He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Capella Regalis Choirs,[2] and Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax.[3] Nick is the son of Paul Halley, a Grammy Award-winning composer, choral conductor, and organist.[4]

Early life and education

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Born in New York City, Nick was raised on the grounds of the city's Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where his father, Paul Halley, was Director of Music.[5] The Dean of the Cathedral at that time, the Rev'd James Parks Morton had turned the Cathedral into a cultural destination,[6] and Halley benefited from the rich variety of music presented at the Cathedral, from sacred choral to contemporary jazz and African dance. During high school, Halley majored in jazz and classical percussion at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and spent a year training and performing in Brazil.[7] He then returned to New York City to attend The New School University's jazz and contemporary music program.[8]

Career

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Choral conductor

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Nick Halley worked for three years (2005–2008) as Assistant Director of Chorus Angelicus (an acclaimed children's choir) and Gaudeamus (professional adult chamber choir), both founded by his father Paul Halley.[9] During this time, he conducted pieces in performances at Tanglewood's Ozawa Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, as well as on national and international tours.[10]

In 2008, Nick moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to continue to learn from his father Paul Halley who moved to Nova Scotia to become Director of Music at the University of King's College, as well as at St. George's Round Church, and the Atlantic School of Theology.[11] As an apprentice to his father, Halley continued to develop his musical life, focusing on developing skills in liturgical music, pipe organ and choral direction.[12]

From September 2008 - November 2021, Nick was the Assistant Director of Music at the University of King's College in Halifax. Together with his father Paul Halley who was Director of Music at the College, they expanded the chapel music programme, initiated choral scholarships for students, and directed the acclaimed King's College Chapel Choir in weekly Evensongs and Choral Eucharists at the college chapel as well as the 'King's at the Cathedral' concert series (begun in 2008) of choral masterworks at the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax.[13]

In 2010, Halley established The King's Chorus (which he directed until 2021), a choral ensemble of 60-80 singers for students at King's College, Dalhousie University and community members.[14] Under his direction, the King's Chorus performed two concerts a year, often with hired guest soloists and a chamber orchestra, including choral masterworks such as Mozart's Solemn Vespers, Haydn's Missa in Tempore Belli, Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Britten's St. Nicolas, Handel's Coronation Anthems, Chandos Anthems, Dettingen Te Deum, etc., C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat, Vivaldi's Gloria, and various Bach cantatas.[15]

Nick Halley conducting the Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir in December 2019.

Nick Halley is perhaps most well known for his work as the Founder and Artistic Director of Capella Regalis Choirs, a Canadian charity and performing arts organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia which offers a unique and completely free music education and professional-level performance training program to children and young adults.[16][17][18] Founded as the Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[19] in 2010 by Nick Halley to build upon the best aspects of the centuries-old European tradition of church choirs and to revitalize this method of music training in Canada, Capella Regalis now comprises a Boys Choir, Girls Choir,[20][21] and professional Men's Choir. These choirs regularly sing Choral Evensong at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax as part of the Cathedral's Sundays at Four series,[22] perform concerts throughout Nova Scotia and beyond, and have released a number of commercially-available albums as well as video performances on YouTube.[23]

Since 2015, Nick has also been the Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax.[3]

For the 2013-14 season, Nick was the Host of CBC's national radio program, Choral Concert.[24]

Percussionist

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Parallel to his career as a choral conductor, Nick Halley has pursued a career as a percussionist and drummer. Most notably, he has performed with American musical icon James Taylor on several occasions as a drummer in his small band: with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2013),[25] at the Newport Folk Festival (2015), at the Save The Children's Centennial Celebration (2019),[26] and for various private parties.

Nick Halley performing with Nazih Borish and Roberto Occhipinti (Nazih Borish Trio) in 2023.

Nick Halley has also performed and recorded internationally with a wide range of musicians including the late Oscar Castro-Neves, Dinuk Wijeratne,[27] Chris Norman, Suzie LeBlanc,[28] Paul Halley, Theresa Thomason, David McGuinness & Revenge of the Folk Singers, Concerto Caledonia, Jefferson Hamer & Eamon O'Leary, Old Man Luedecke & Tim O'Brien,[29] the Chris Norman Ensemble, Viradouro Escola de Samba, Nazih Borish,[30] and the Nick Halley Band. He has directed workshops in percussion, music theory, and Brazilian, North African, and South Indian rhythm including at Boxwood Festival,[31] Aldeburgh Festival, Interlochen Summer Festival, and Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance (Lamp).[32][33]

In July 2008, Halley released his debut recording, 'Barnum Hill[34]', featuring the Nick Halley Band (Matt Brewer, Richard Baughman, Adam Niewood, Greg Ruggiero and others) and Halley's original compositions.[25]

Awards

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In 2012, Nick Halley was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to Canada and Nova Scotia through the arts, particularly for his work with Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[35]

Discography

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  • 1991:  Paul Halley "Angel on a Stone Wall"[36] – percussionist
  • 1994:  Chorus Angelicus "Voices of Light"[37] – singer
  • 1995:  Chorus Angelicus/Gaudeamus "Christmas Angelicus"[38] – singer
  • 1996:  Gaudeamus "Sacred Feast"[39] – singer
  • 1998:  Theresa Thomason "Sound Over All Waters"[40] – singer, percussionist
  • 2004:  Chris Norman "In the Fields in Frost and Snow"[41] – percussionist
  • 2006:  Justin Mather "One Pillow"[42] – drummer, keyboardist, arranger
  • 2006:  Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus "What Child is This?"[43] – singer
  • 2008:  Nick Halley "Barnum Hill"[34] – composer, arranger, drummer, percussionist, keyboardist
  • 2011:  Concerto Caledonia "Revenge of the Folksingers"[44] – percussionist, singer
  • 2013:  University of King's College Chapel Choir "Let Us Keep the Feast"[45] – conductor, singer
  • 2013:  Papilio "First Flight"[46] – percussionist
  • 2014:  Suzie LeBlanc "La Veillée de Noël"[47] – percussionist
  • 2014:  Capella Regalis "My Eyes for Beauty Pine"[48] – conductor, singer
  • 2015:  Old Man Luedecke "Domestic Eccentric"[49] (ECMA winner) – drummer, singer
  • 2017:  Paul Halley & Keramion Singers "In the Wide Awe and Wisdom"[50] – conductor, singer
  • 2017:  Capella Regalis "Greater Love"[48] – conductor, singer
  • 2019: Capella Regalis "Love Came Down: Carols for Christmas"[48] – conductor, singer

Notable YouTube recordings

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  • 2023: Heinrich Schütz's Musikalische Exequien (1635)[51] - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir and the Choir of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Halifax, tenor soloist
  • 2021: M. Duruflé's Requiem (Op. 9)[52] - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley - conductor, singer
  • 2021: J.S. Bach 'Christ lag in Todesbanden' (BWV 4)[53] - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir - conductor
  • 2019: Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols[54] - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir - conductor
  • 2017: Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610[55] - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley – singer

References

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  1. ^ "Nick Halley | ATMA Classique". atmaclassique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  2. ^ "Our Team | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  3. ^ a b "Our Team | About". Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  4. ^ "Other Artists". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  5. ^ "Our History". www.cathedralnyc.org. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  6. ^ Goldman, Ari. L (January 7, 2020). "James Parks Morton, Dean Who Brought a Cathedral to Life, Dies at 89".
  7. ^ Jazz, All About (2008-11-15). "Jazz news: Nick Halley Releases Debut Recording". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  8. ^ Jazz, All About (2008-11-15). "Nick Halley Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  9. ^ Robb, Peter. "Music and Beyond: The musical journey of Paul Halley – ARTSFILE". Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  10. ^ "News & Events". Chorus Angelicus. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  11. ^ Hinman, Suzanne (October 11, 2024). "Paul Halley Leaving for Canada".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ McIntyre, Evan. "Nick's Halleyfax: from Bebop to Bach". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  13. ^ King's College, Chapel (May 2015). "King's College Chapel Annual General Report 2014-2015" (PDF). King's College Chapel Annual General Report 2014-2015.
  14. ^ McIntyre, Evan (November 2014). "Nick's Halleyfax: from Bebop to Bach". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  15. ^ "Concerts". The King's Chorus. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  16. ^ Cooke, Stephen (December 2021). "Capella Regalis choir makes powerful connection to Christmas past and present".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "About Capella Regalis | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  18. ^ Kingsbury, Mark (January 9, 2023). "Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir instills a lifelong love of church music in its choristers" (PDF).{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "About Capella Regalis | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com.
  20. ^ Mullin, Morgan (July 13, 2022). "Halifax's Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir launches new, free program for girls". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  21. ^ Douglas, Jeff (August 2022). "Capella Regalis Creates Girls Choir".
  22. ^ "Music | Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax". www.cathedralchurchofallsaints.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  23. ^ "Capella Regalis (Men & Boys Choir) - Short History". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  24. ^ "Choral Bytes". choralbytes.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  25. ^ a b "Nick Halley". Chamberfest. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  26. ^ "Save The Children: The Centennial Celebration". JamesTaylor.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  27. ^ "Dinuk Wijeratne and friends' The Journeyed Compass searches for the meaning of home through music". Stir. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  28. ^ "La Veillée de Noël". www.nickhalley.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  29. ^ "Old Man Luedecke Explores 'Domestic Eccentric,' Streams New Album │ Exclaim!". Old Man Luedecke Explores 'Domestic Eccentric,' Streams New Album │ Exclaim!. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  30. ^ "Roots of Strings: Music of Syria (Nazih Borish Trio) | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  31. ^ Norman, Chris (2022-03-26). "Nick HALLEY". Boxwood Festivals. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  32. ^ "Summer Jazz Series". Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  33. ^ "Nick Halley (Choral Conductor) - Short Biography". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  34. ^ a b "Barnum Hill". nickhalley.com.
  35. ^ "Nick Halley". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  36. ^ "Angel On A Stone Wall". pelagosmusic.com.
  37. ^ "Voices of Light CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  38. ^ "Christmas Angelicus CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  39. ^ "Sacred Feast CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  40. ^ "Sound Over All Waters CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  41. ^ "In The Fields In Frost And Snow". October 18, 2006 – via thesession.org.
  42. ^ "One Pillow by Justin Mather on Apple Music". January 23, 2006 – via music.apple.com.
  43. ^ "What Child Is This CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  44. ^ "Concerto Caledonia - albums". concal.org.
  45. ^ "Let Us Keep the Feast". King's College Chapel.
  46. ^ "Papilio". Papilio.
  47. ^ "La Veillée de Noël | Suzie LeBlanc". suzieleblanc.com. June 26, 2020.
  48. ^ a b c "Audio Recordings | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com.
  49. ^ "Rolling Stone's top songwriters list prioritizes hits over lyricism". September 2, 2015 – via www.theglobeandmail.com.
  50. ^ "In The Wide Awe and Wisdom CD". pelagosmusic.com.
  51. ^ "MUSIKALISCHE EXEQUIEN: Heinrich Schütz - Paul Halley, director (live video performance)". June 2, 2023 – via YouTube.
  52. ^ "M. Duruflé REQUIEM (Op. 9) - University of King's College Chapel Choir, Paul Halley, Nick Halley". April 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
  53. ^ "J.S. Bach BWV 4 'Christ lag in Todesbanden'". May 1, 2021 – via YouTube.
  54. ^ "Capella Regalis, A Ceremony of Carols - To Bethlehem With Kings 2019". December 24, 2019 – via YouTube.
  55. ^ "Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610". July 31, 2017 – via YouTube.
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