Hall, Arthur E. (Arthur Edwin), 1901-1978

Arthur E. Hall (1901-1978), one time Chairman of Rice's Shepherd School of Music (1953-1973), is known as a composer of orchestral, choral and chamber ensemble music. He was educated at Yale University and studied at Juilliard, Colorado College and was awarded an M.M. from Baylor University in 1949. He came to Houston after the war (1946) and became organist and music director for Christ Episcopal Cathedral. Hall came to Rice in 1953 as the University's first music instructor and subsequently became associate professor. He became full professor in 1969, going on to become Chairman of the School of Music. Hall was a prolific composer and won several awards including ones from ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), the Houston Symphony Award, the Charles Ives Award as well as others and also was honored by Yale University and Rice University after his retirement. While at Rice University, he encouraged establishment of the Lyric Art String Quartet and the Woodwinds of Houston, two chamber music organizations. A number of his compositions have been published. Excerpted from Rice Thresher, April 25, 1974.