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A Few Notes About...
PineTree Music
His early studies in piano and composition were with Benjamin Hey, a highly accomplished teacher and classical musician.
In 1967, Roger Hall was awarded a certificate with honors in music theory from the Trinity College of Music in London. Two years later, he began composition studies at Rutgers University with Robert Nagel and George Walker -- the first African-American composer to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1996 . Mr. Hall received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music theory and composition from
Rutgers University in 1970. Two years later he received a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology from Binghamton University in New York. His thesis was "The Shaker Letteral System: A Practical Approach to Music Notation." He also composed a set of piano variations on a Shaker marching tune (Op. 1b).Mr. Hall continued his Shaker music focus when he did his Ph.D. studies at
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Roger Lee Hall had a consultation session in 1980 with the distinguished composer, Aaron Copland, who complimented him on his arrangements of two Shaker songs:
"Gentle Words" and "Love is Little"
In 1985, Mr. Hall became a member of ASCAP
(American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).One year later, he formed PINETREE PRODUCTIONS, which includes PineTree Music and PineTree Press, providing publications, recordings, lectures and workshops.
Among his over 100 works are two sets of piano variations, chamber music, choral music, solo songs, and many vocal arrangements.
He also composed music for performers in Massachusetts, New York,
New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin.In 1988, he composed a song in Russian for the Sharing A New Song in Boston for their Russian tour to commemorate the millennium of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Mr. Hall's choral suite titled A Shaker Triptych received its world premiere in a Concert for Peace in March of 2004, performed by the Festival Choir
in Stoughton, Wisconsin.His environmental anthem,"Creator God, We Give You Thanks," received a second place award in a Massachusetts choral music competition in 1993. This anthem was originally a hymn composed in 1973, and was expanded as a memoial for a musician friend, John D. Herr, the longtime music director at Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The text by Betty Anne J. Arner speaks of respect for God's creations and is especially appropriate in these days of global warming
and other Earth concerns.Here is the first verse of this poem:
Creator God, we give You thanks
For all the glories You have made.
Help us to see You in your work,
The Artist in the art displayed.
"Creator God, We Give You Thanks" is included on these two CDs:
Come, Gentle Peace - Music by Roger Hall, Vol. 1
The Dark Night is Ending - Music by Roger Hall, Vol. 2
To listen to several of his songs , click on the links in this box using Real Player:
To order this "Love is Little" arrangement (S.A.T.B.), write to:
For additional information, go to
To inquire about costs and how to order any of the music listed below, write to:
1968 - 1972
Op. 1: Piano Variations
a. Set 1 - on an Original Theme (1968) [ 5 minutes]
b. Set 2 - on a Shaker Marching Tune:
A Study in Compositional Styles (1970) [9 minutes]These two sets of piano variations were published in 1984 and are recorded on these releases:
Op. 2: Percussion Quartet (1969)
For xylophone, suspended cymbal, snare drum and timpani [about 8 minutes]
In three movements: I. Allegro/ II. Andante/ III. Allegro
The third movement (Allegro) is recorded on these CD-Rs:
Op. 3: six haiku songs (1970)
For soprano and piano. haiku poems written by Roger Hall.
Six song titles:
1. "sing ye joyously"
2. "innocent spring bud"
3. "grieve not spring flower"
4. "gentle morning mist"
5. "so small the brook sounds"
6. "imagine...tall trees"
These songs have been recorded on The Dark Night is Ending
Op. 4: Three Festive Carols (1970)
Youth Choir (SA) and organ.
a. French: Leaping and Dancing
b. German: He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising
c. English: The Holly and the Ivy
Op. 5: Three Organ Preludes (1970-1972)
a. "Out of the Depths" - November 1970
b. "All Creatures of Our God and King" - July 1971
c. "For All The Saints" - October 1972
"For All the Saints" is recorded on the CD-R:
Creator God, We Give You Thanks
Op. 6: Tricinium - for flute, oboe, bassoon (1971)
I. Introduction
II. Song: "Insbruck ich muss dich lassen" (Innsbruck, I must leave thee)
III. Finale
1976 - 1979
Op. 7: Two Shaker Humility Songs (1976)
a. "Gentle Words" (LG70-439)
b. "Love is Little" (LG70-440)
Both songs are for SATB a cappella. They were originally published by Lawson-Gould.
These two song arrangements are available on these recordings:
Op. 8: Requiem Canon - In Memory of Benjamin Britten (1977)
A canon for two to five voice parts.
Op. 9: Celebrate, Rejoice and Sing! (1979)
Nine Christmas carols for SATB and piano or organ.
1. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - 15th century French processional tune
2. "Bereden, Vag For Herran (Prepare the Royal Highway)" - Swedish and English
3. "Es Ist Ein Ros'Entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose)" - German and English
4. "Natal Night" - Shaker poem/ music by Roger Hall
5. "Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow" - Afro-American spiritual
6. "Leaping and Dancing" - Catalan folk tune
7. "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" - Bartholomew Brown, 19th century American composer
8. "Quem Pastores Laudavere (He Whom Shepherds)" - Latin and English
9. "Celebrate, Rejoice and Sing!" - 16th century German tune/text by Roger Hall
Three of these carols ("O Come, O Come Emmanuel"/ "Prepare the Royal Highway"/ "He Whom Shepherds") are on the CD-R:
Op. 10: Season's End, Op. 12 (1979)
Four songs for SATB chorus a cappella:
1. "Thaw" (poem by Edward Thomas)
2. "Spring Bluets" (poem by Sara Teasdale)
3. "Indian Summer" (poem by Emily Dickinson)
4. "Lovely Hill Torrents" (poem by Walter Turner)
Three of these songs ("Thaw"/"Spring Bluets"/"Lovely Hill Torrents") are included on the CD-R:
1980 - 1989
Op. 11: The Pleasures of Variety - Homage to William Billings (1980)
For narrator and solo quartet or SATB chorus a cappella. Text by William Billings.
This work was first performed in 1980 in a concert titled: "Music from Massachusetts."
It was revised in 2000 and published in this monograph:
The original version, without narration, is recorded on Best of William Billings
Op 12: Six Shaker Rounds, Op. 14 (1985)
Rounds for 2, 3 or 4 voice parts a cappella:
1. "Christian Love" - poem by Elvah F. Collins, 1881
2. "A New Year's Prayer" - poem by R. Mildred Barker, 1921
3. "Morning Bells" - David A. Buckingham, 1873
4. "Let Us Endeavor" - David A. Buckingham, 1873
5. "Welcome, Welcome" - Rosetta Cummings, 1869
6. "We Will All Go Home With You" - Author unknown, 1862
The last two rounds (Nos. 5 and 6) are published in the Music Supplement of
Op. 13: Six Carols for Christmastime (1983)
For soprano and alto recorders.
1. Vom Himmel Hoch (From Heaven Above)
2. Es Ist Ein' Ros'entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming)
3. Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein (Joseph, O Dear Joseph Mine)
4. Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow
5. Away in a Manger
6. Joy to the World
Op. 14: Hymns for the Church Year
(1973 - 1983)1. Christmas: "Hail to the Joyous Day" - 1973
2. Christmas: "Good news! Great joy to all the earth!" - 1976
3. Epiphany: "A New Year's Prayer" - 1983
4. Lent: "Father Supreme! Eternal God!" 1973
5. Lent: "O God of Love" - 1973
6. Easter: "Praise the Savior" - 1973
7. Pentecost: "They Who Seek the Throne of Grace" - 1979
8. Pentecost: "Come, Join in One Accord" - 1980
9. Pentecost (for baptism): "Bless, O Lord This Child of Thine" - 1977
10. Pentecost: "Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" - 1983
11. Advent: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - 1977
12. Advent: "Prepare the Royal Highway" - 1978
Several of the hymns are recorded on these CD-Rs:
Creator God, We Give You Thanks
Op. 15: Three Choral Responses
(based on themes by J.S. Bach)(1985)Choral responses based on instrumental themes by Johann Sebastian Bach for unison chorus and organ:
1. "Psalm"
2. "Prayer"
3. "Benediction"
Composed for the 300th anniversary of the birth of J.S. Bach.
Recorded on Creator God, We Give You Thanks
Op. 16: Three Choral Responses (based on themes by George Frideric Handel and Domenico Scarlatti)(1985)
For unison chorus and organ
1. Introit (Air from the Trumpet Suite from Water Music) - G.F. Handel
2. Agnus Dei (Sonata in A minor for harpsichord) - Domenico Scarlatti
3. Dona nobis pacem (Musette from Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 6) - G. F. Handel
Op. 17: Four Commemorative Songs (1989)
For mixed chorus and piano.
1. "Bicentennial Hymn" (Tune: OLD HUNDRED) - 200th anniversary of Stoughton Musical Society
2. "The Grand Constitution" (Tune: HEART OF OAK) - 200th anniversary of Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution (1987)
3. "Yankee Song" (Tune: YANKEE DOODLE) - 200th anniversary of Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution (1987)
4. "Ode to George Washington" (Tune: GOD SAVE THE KING) - 200th anniversary of First US Presidential Inauguration (1989)
Op. 18: Two Russian Rounds (1988)Two rounds written for the Russian tour of Sharing A New Song in 1988.
The rounds are SAB a cappella in Russian and in English.
These are the English translation titles:
1. "We give you a gift of our songs"
2. "May you live many years"
The first round is included in New England Songster
It is also recorded on Peace - A Music Sampler
Op. 19: Bellamy's Musical Telephone (1988)a.. "Telephone Tune" - for keyboard
b. "Simple Gifts" - for soprano and keyboard
c. "The Dark Night is Ending" - for soprano and keyboard
All three are recorded on Peace - A Music Sampler
1990 - 1999
Op. 20: A Prayer -
In Memory of Sister Mildred Barker (1990)For mixed chorus and organ or piano.
This prayer song is available in:
Op. 21: Two Old Stoughton Songs (1990)
Two songs for SATB chorus a cappella:
1. Fuging Tune: "DEDICATION" - words by William Billings, 1794
This tune was composed for the 175th anniversary of The Musical Society in Stoughton in 1977. Performed again in a 200th anniversary concert of the Old Stoughton Musical Society in 1986. Revised in 1990.
2. Patriotic Ode: "PEACE" - words by Esther Talbot, 1814
This anti-war song was composed for the centennial of Stoughton Town Hall in 1981 and included in the pamphlet, Music in Stoughton.
It was revised for solo quartet, flute and piano, and first performed in A Stoughton Musicfest in 1990.
Both songs are recorded on these CD-Rs:
"PEACE" is also featured in the one hour video program:
Op. 22: A Little Theatre Music (1990)
For solo flute. Written in memory of Dorothy Woodward, founder of The Little Theatre of Stoughton.
This piece is performed by flutist Donna Hieken in this video program:
Op. 23: Three Shaker Songs (1990-1991)
For string quartet. Written in memory of Sister R. Mildred Barker.
First performance by The Portland String Quartet in the Shaker meeting house at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, in 1990 and 1991.
1. "Mother Has Come With Her Beautiful Song" (Alfred, Maine, 1887)
2. "Love is Little" (South Union, Kentucky,1834)
3. "We Will All Go Home With You" (Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1862)
Op. 24: Credo -- Walt Whitman (1992)For soprano and piano.
Poem by Ruth E. Winn, based on lines from "Song of Myself" in Whitman's Leaves of Grass, 1855.
Written for the centennial of the death of Walt Whitman.
This song is available on:
Op. 25: Creator God, We Give You Thanks (1993)
Hymn and Anthem for SATB chorus with organ.
The hymn and two different versions of the anthem are recorded on
Creator God, We Give You Thanks
Op. 26: Two Shaker Songs (1994)
For mixed chorus a cappella
1. May I Softly Walk (1976/ revised 1994)
2. The Prince of Peace is Come (1980/ revised 1994)
Op. 27: Three Shaker Poems (1996)
For mixed chorus and piano or organ.
1. A Prayer (1978/ revised 1996)
2. A New Year's Prayer (1983/ revised 1996)
3. Our Shaker Home (1987/ revised 1996)
Op. 28: Simple Gifts (1998)
Shaker dance song arranged for solo voice and piano.
It is available in the Music Supplement of
This song is recorded, both in original and arranged versions on
Op 29: The Humble Heart (1999)
Shaker hymn arranged for SAB chorus a capella.
This hymn is recorded on Come, Gentle Peace
2000 - 2006
Op. 30: Benjamin Franklin's Armonica (2000 & 2006)
This work was written in 2000 and has been expanded for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in 2006.
What follows is information about the 2000 performance:
This is a memorial tribute to Gerhard Finkenbeiner (1930-1999), a world-renowned glassblower who had his own business in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was also a skillful maker of the glass harmonica using Benjamin Franklin's design. Gerhard had many talents but was above all a gentle man of rare curiosity and inventiveness. He was always willing to help out in any way possible.
To Gerhard, I dedicate these two pieces with my respect and gratitude.
--Roger Hall
Op. 30a (2000 - In memory of Gerhard Finkenbeiner)
1. Opening remarks by Dr. Benjamin Franklin on his "Armonica."
2. "Agnus Dei" (based on Adagio for Glass Harmonica by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1791
3. "Auld Lang Syne" (based on an Old Scottish Air with New England text)
[This work was given its world premiere by Alisa Nakashian-Holsberg at the International Glass Music Festival in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 27 April 2000. This work is for voice and glass harmonica.]
These two arrangements (keyboard without vocals) are available on this CD-R:
For more information, go to:
See also this e-group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glassmusic
Op. 30b (For the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in 2006)
Music compiled and arranged by Roger Hall.
Opening remarks by Dr. Benjamin Franklin on his "Armonica."
1. "I Sing My Plain Country Joan" (tune: The Hounds are all out," Henry Carey, 1734/text: Benjamin Franklin, 1740s)
2. "The King's Old Regulars" (tune: "The Queens' Old Courtier"/text: Benjamin Franklin, 1776?)
3. "Auld Lang Syne" (based on Old Scottish Air, New England text by Albert Laighton)
Op. 31: Canon in Four Parts (2000)
Words by William Billings (1746-1800).
This canon, "Come Let Us Sing Unto the Lord," was composed in 2000 for the 200th anniversary of the death of Billings. It was published in this monograph:
This canon was first performed by Roger Hall and the other singers attending the 200th anniversary William Billings observance at Kings Chapel in Boston, Massachusetts on 26 September 2000.
Op. 32: Six Shaker Spirituals (2001)
For Two, Three or Four Part Chorus a cappella, or with keyboard accompaniment.
1. "Rights of Conscience" - Issacahar Bates, 1810
2. "Come Life, Shaker Life" - Issachar Bates, 1835
3. "Almighty Savior" - Issachar Bates, 1836
4. "The Millennium" - Tune by Issachar Bates
5. "The Earthquake" - Daniel Mosely, 1811
6. "Reflections on Mother Ann's Birthday" - David Austin Buckingham, 1840
Nos. 1-4 are included in this monograph:
Come Life, Shaker Life: The Life and Music of Elder Issachar Bates
Op. 33: Fifteen Shaker Spirituals (2006)
All fifteen spirituals are included in the book, A Guide to Shaker Music (6th edition).
Unless otherwise indicated, these are arrangements of Shaker tunes are for SAB or SATB chorus, either a cappella or with keyboard accompaniment:
1. "Welcome, Welcome" - Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869 (a round in 4 voice parts)
2. "We Will All Go Home With You" - Canterbury, New Hapshire, 1862 (a round in 4 voice parts)
3. "Holy Habitation" - Harvard, Massachusetts, ca. 1848 (SATB hymn)
4. "The Humble Heart" - Harvard, Massachusetts, ca. 1820 (hymn for soloist or SAB)
5. "Voyage to Canaan" - Union Village, Ohio, ca. 1810 (hymn for soloist or SAB)
6. "Celestial Praises" - Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1840 (SATB hymn)
7. "Christian Love" - Mt. Lebanon, New York, 1881 (round in 4 parts - music by Roger Hall)
8. "My Shepherd" - Alfred, Maine 1926 (soloist and keyboard - music by Roger Hall)
9. "A New Year's Prayer" - Alfred, 1921 (soloist and keyboard - music by Roger Hall)
10. "A Prayer" - Alfred, 1922 (soloist and keyboard - music by Roger Hall)
11. "May I Softly Walk" - Mt. Lebanon, New York, ca. 1869 (SAB song)
12. "Simple Gifts" - Alfred, Maine, 1848 (soloist and keyboard)
13. "A Welcome Song" - Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1869 (two soloists)
14. "Invitation to Zion" - Watervliet, New York, 1846 (two soloists)
15. "Invitation to Souls" - Whitewater, Ohio, 1846 (two soloists and SAB)
All fifteen spirituals are recorded on the CD-R accompanying the music book:
To inqure about costs and how to order any of the music listed above, write to:
Here are the CDs with music composed, arranged, and edited by Roger Lee Hall:
- PTM 1001: Come, Gentle Peace
- PTM 1002: Creator God, We Give You Thanks
- PTM 1003: The Dark Night is Ending
- PTM 1004: Peace - A Music Sampler
- PTM 1005: Simple Gifts of Shaker Music
- PTM 1006: Early American Songster
- PTM 1007: American Choral Sampler
- PTM 1008: Singing New Englanders--From the Pilgrims to the Shakers
- PTM 1009: America in Song, Vol. I--American Revolution to World War I
- PTM 1010: America in Song, Vol. II--The Civil War to Cold War
- PTM 1011: For the Love of Zion
- PTM 1012: The Humble Heart--24 Shaker Spirituals
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