From the Organist & Choirmaster

This Sunday the first voluntary is Air by Gerre Hancock, a piece that reflects the lyrical elegance and spiritual depth of one of the most beloved musicians in the Episcopal Church.

Gerre Hancock (1934-2012) was an internationally renowned organist, improviser, composer, and teacher, best known for his transformative tenure as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City, where he served from 1971 to 2004. Under his direction, the choir became on of the most esteemed Anglican ensembles in the world, continuing the English choral tradition at the highest standard in an American context.

A native Texan, Hancock studied at the University of Texas and then at Union Theological Seminary in New York, later receiving further instruction in Parish with the legendary improviser Nadia Boulanger. He became a virtuoso not only of performance but also of spontaneous composition, bringing the art of liturgical improvisation to dazzling heights. His improvisations during liturgies were often so inspired that they sounded fully composed, seamlessly linking sections of the liturgy and elevating the worship.

As a composer, Hancock left behind a body of sacred music that combines expressive beauty with theological sensitivity. His works are firmly rooted in the Anglican idiot, rich in counterpoint, chant-based motifs, and soaring lines, but they also carry his distinct voice: warm, reverent, and often joyfully exuberant.

Air, the voluntary that you will hear as we prepare for Mass on Sunday, showcases Hancock’s gift for melody and lyrical phrasing. Though simple in texture, it creates a space for reflection and prayer, drawings the listener gently into a contemplative state. Like much of his music, it is designed to not call attention to itself, but to serve the greater purpose of worship.

In addition to his church work, Hancock was a devoted educator. He taught at The Juilliard School and Yale Institute of Sacred Music and concluded his career as Professor of Organ and Sacred Music at the University of Texas at Austin. His book, Improvising: How to Master the Art, remains an essential resource for organists and one that I reference often.

Gerre Hancock’s influence continues to resonate in choirs, congregations, and concert halls across the country. As we listen to this voluntary, we remember not only a remarkable musician but a servant of the Church whose art was always in the service of something greater.

If you want an example of Hancock’s elaborate improvisation, here is a recording him playing “Come, labor on”(Ora labora) with an extensive improvisation afterwards. This was recorded on his last Sunday at Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2004.