American composer, music educator, and choral conductor (1902–1978)
Peter J. Wilhousky
Born
13 July 1902
Passaic, New Jersey, US
Died
4 January 1978(1978-01-04) (aged 75)
Norwalk, Connecticut, US
Citizenship
United States
Occupation(s)
Director of music in New York City schools and conductor of the New York All-City High School Chorus
Known for
English language setting of "Carol of the Bells"; arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Peter J. Wilhousky (Ukrainian: Пітер (Петро) Вільговський; 13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor of Rusyn descent.[1][2][3] 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.[4] 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, Wilhousky wrote a popular English version of the Ukrainian song "Shchedryk" by Mykola Leontovych and called it "Carol of the Bells". Wilhousky's 1944 choral arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Grammy-winning performance, and has become "arguably the most well-known choral arrangement of a hymn or anthem in the United States."[5][6][7]
^Tomkiw, Lydia. "Toll of the Bells The forgotten history of nationalism, oppression, and murder behind a Christmas classic". Slate.
^Gressa, Greg. "Peter J. Wilhousky". Carpatho-Rusyn Knowledge Base. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
^Honchock, Sadie. "PETER WILHOUSKY, A RELATIVE AND RUSYN COMPOSER". Rusyn Society. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
^Spurr, Sean (26 July 2011). "Carol of the Bells". Christmas Carols. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012.
^"Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 26 October 1959. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
^Lloyd, R. Scott (11 March 2006). "Choral directors are feted by choir: Association members join in singing choir's signature tune". Deseret News. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
^Battle Hymn of the Republic. The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via YouTube (official channel).
Peter J. Wilhousky (Ukrainian: Пітер (Петро) Вільговський; 13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor...
Leontovych in 1914; the English-language lyrics were written in 1936 by PeterWilhousky. The music is based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3 4 time signature...
PS5, Xbox". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 30, 2023. Wolinski, Peter (November 14, 2022). "In Sound Mind review". Tom's Guide. Retrieved January...
originally by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. Destiny's Child - vocals performed by (tracks 1-3, 5, 7-8, 10-12)...
coming of the Lord, he played for Brighton and Hove Albion and his name is Peter Ward". Some songs make use of both the melody and elements of the lyrics...
Class Champion 2012 12.25 Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovych & PeterWilhousky / Jingle Bells by James Lord Pierpont / Do You Hear What I Hear? by...
/ William Chatterton Dix / Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych PeterWilhousky Nick Perito[a] Peter Knight[a] / John Francis Wade Frederick Oakeley 4:38 3. "Christmas...
popularized Mykola Leontovych's "Shchedryk" in his concert, which PeterWilhousky later translated into the popular "Carol of the Bells". Koshetz was...
Reindeer" Johnny Marks 0:59 12. "Carol of the Bells" Mykola Leontovych, PeterWilhousky 3:00 13. "Footprints" Ed Robertson Ed Robertson 3:14 14. "Deck the...
singer-songwriter, frontman for Aerosmith Bruno Mars- singer-songwriter PeterWilhousky – composer, educator and conductor Your Old Droog – rapper Vasyl Avramenko...
Andy Warhol, artist (both parents Rusyn) James Warhola, illustrator PeterWilhousky, composer (both parents Rusyn) Craig Wycinsky, professional football...
William Chatterton Dix 2:36 3. "Carol of the Bells" Mykola Leontovych PeterWilhousky 2:33 4. "The Excelsis Deo Medley" ("Deck the Halls", "Excelsis Deo"...
O.T.E Derelle Rideout 3:10 15. "12 Days of Christmas" Davis White PeterWilhousky J. White Did It 1:52 16. "WWGD Outro" Davis Dotson Zaytoven 2:13 Total...
as indicated. Original recording from A Fresh Aire Christmas. Neither Wilhousky nor Leontovych is credited on the album, which simply describes the song...
Christmas Day Chart History". Billboard. "Tell It on the Mountain (song by Peter, Paul & Mary)". www.musicvf.com. "Go Tell It on the Mountain (song by Garth...
Gabrieli. Uncredited; attributed as "20th century American." Neither Wilhousky nor Leontovych is credited; attributed as "19th century Ukrainian." Uncredited...
composer, educator, and choral conductor of Ukrainian ethnic origin Peter J. Wilhousky following a performance of the original song by Alexander Koshetz's...
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