From 2005-2008 Halley worked as the assistant director of Chorus Angelicus, an acclaimed children's choir, and Gaudeamus, a professional adult chamber choir, both founded by his father, Paul Halley.[4] During this time, he performed as a conductor at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divinein New York, as well as on national and international tours.[5]
From 2008-2021, Halley was the Assistant Director of Music at the University of King's College in Halifax.[8] Working together with his father who was Director of Music at the College,[9] they expanded the chapel music programme, initiated choral scholarships for students, and directed the King's College Chapel Choir.[10] The King's College Chapel Choir performed 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.[11]
In 2010, Halley founded The King's Chorus, a choral ensemble of 60-80 singers for students at King's College, Dalhousie University and community members.[12] 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.[13] Halley directed The King's Chorus from 2010-2021.[14]
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.[15] Capella Regalis, offers a unique and free musical education and professional-level performance training program to children and young adults.[16][17][18] Founded as the Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir in 2010, Halley built upon the best aspects of the centuries-old European tradition of church choirs and to revitalize this method of music training in Canada.[19] Capella Regalis now comprises a Boys Choir, Girls Choir,[20][21] and professional Men's Choir. These choirs sing regularly at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, in Choral Evensong as part of the Cathedral's Sundays at Four series,[22] perform concerts throughout Nova Scotia and beyond, and have released a number of albums, and video performances on YouTube.[23]
For the 2013-14 season, Halley was the Host of CBC’s national radio program, Choral Concert.[24]
In addition to his work as a choral conductor, Halley pursued a career as a percussionist, keyboardist, and drummer. Most notably, he has performed with American musical icon James Taylor on several occasions as a drummer in his band.[26] Halley has also performed with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2013), at the Newport Folk Festival (2015), at the Save The Children's Centennial Celebration (2019),[27] and for various private parties.
Awards
In 2012, 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.[28]
Discography
1991: Paul Halley "Angel on a Stone Wall"[29] – percussionist
1994: Chorus Angelicus "Voices of Light"[30] – singer
2014: Suzie LeBlanc "La Veillée de Noël"[41] – percussionist
2014: Capella Regalis "My Eyes for Beauty Pine"[42] – conductor, singer
2015: Old Man Luedecke "Domestic Eccentric" (ECMA winner)[43] – drummer, singer
2017: Paul Halley & Keramion Singers "In the Wide Awe and Wisdom" – conductor, singer
2017: Capella Regalis "Greater Love"[44] – conductor, singer
2019: Capella Regalis "Love Came Down: Carols for Christmas"[45] – conductor, singer
Notable YouTube recordings
2023: Heinrich Schütz's Musikalische Exequien (1635) - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir and the Choir of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Halifax[46] - tenor soloist
2021: M. Duruflé's Requiem (Op. 9) - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley[47] - conductor, singer
2021: J.S. Bach 'Christ lag in Todesbanden' (BWV 4) - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[48] - conductor
2019: Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[49]- conductor
2017: Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley[50] – singer
