Peter Wilhousky
Encyclopedia
Peter J. Wilhousky (1902, Passaic, New Jersey
- 1978) was a popular American composer, educator, and choral conductor of Ukrainian
/Rusyn
ethnic extraction. During his childhood he was part of New York's Russian Cathedral Boys Choir, and gave a performance at the White House
to President Woodrow Wilson
. He was featured on several broadcasts of classical music with Arturo Toscanini
and the NBC Symphony Orchestra
, including the historic 1947 broadcast of Verdi's opera Otello
. In 1936 he wrote a set of English lyrics to the popular "Carol of the Bells
" a composition by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych
originally known as Shchedryk
. His arrangement of the Battle Hymn of the Republic for Chorus, Band, and Orchestra, is probably the most famous arrangement of the hymn after the 1940s in the United States.
and Stephen Jay Gould
.
Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
- 1978) was a popular American composer, educator, and choral conductor of Ukrainian
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
/Rusyn
Rusyns
Carpatho-Rusyns are a primarily diasporic ethnic group who speak an Eastern Slavic language, or Ukrainian dialect, known as Rusyn. Carpatho-Rusyns descend from a minority of Ruthenians who did not adopt the use of the ethnonym "Ukrainian" in the early twentieth century...
ethnic extraction. During his childhood he was part of New York's Russian Cathedral Boys Choir, and gave a performance at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
to President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. He was featured on several broadcasts of classical music with Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
and the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra
The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini...
, including the historic 1947 broadcast of Verdi's opera Otello
Otello
Otello is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887....
. In 1936 he wrote a set of English lyrics to the popular "Carol of the Bells
Carol of the Bells
"Carol of the Bells" is the common English language title of a Christmas carol of Ukrainian origin, which has in recent years grown in popularity, particularly in English-speaking countries. The work was originally a choral miniature composition by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych based on...
" a composition by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych
Mykola Leontovych
Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych was a Ukrainian composer, choral conductor, priest, and teacher of international renown. His music was inspired by Mykola Lysenko and the Ukrainian nationalist music school, along with Kyrylo Stetsenko, Alexander Koshetz, and Yakiv Stepovy...
originally known as Shchedryk
Shchedryk
Shchedryk is a Ukrainian shchedrivka, or New Year's carol. It was arranged by composer and teacher Mykola Leontovych in 1916, and tells a story of a swallow flying into a household to sing of wealth that will come with the following spring...
. His arrangement of the Battle Hymn of the Republic for Chorus, Band, and Orchestra, is probably the most famous arrangement of the hymn after the 1940s in the United States.
Former Students
As a choral director in New York City, he influenced the future careers of musicians such as Julius La RosaJulius La Rosa
Julius La Rosa is an American traditional popular music singer who has worked in both radio and television since the 1950s.-Early years and big break:...
and Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. He was also one of the most influential and widely read writers of popular science of his generation....
.