Thomas Hale, resides in Minnetonka, MN, and is a composer/publisher of sacred choral music. Previously he was Associate Professor of Music at Northland College, Ashland, WI, where he conducted vocal/choral music and taught theory-composition classes. Under his direction, Northland College choirs toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan and the United States. He holds degrees in Choral Music and Composition from the University of MN, Duluth, and the University of IL, Urbana.

Why am I self-published? I write choral music in a variety of styles for church, high school, university and community chorus levels. Being self-published allows me the freedom to produce this wide variety of music. I also enjoy doing commissioned projects, which can be published to the larger choral community.

As a choral composer, I enjoy uniting text and music for a specific expression within a particular performance context. Whether writing for church, community, or student choirs, music is inspired by the selected lyrics and the purpose of the presentation. As the artistic director for the Sacred Voice (vocal ensemble), I strives to program and present sacred a cappella choral music with 4 - 8 voices to enrich the lives of listeners through performance practices, education and entertainment. The beauty and simplicity of an intimate choral experience is not a luxury but a necessity for today's fast-paced, over-stimulated lives of Americans.

My earliest involvement in church services was as a musician, usually singing in the choir or accompanying on my guitar. Rarely did I ever just attend services; I was always involved in some form with the music and the liturgy. As I began my formal music training, I found myself conducting church choirs, almost exclusively in liturgical settings. And now, after more than 20 years of service in church settings, I find myself composing music for liturgical settings. I am still active in church choirs, now as a soloist and chorister at Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in Minneapolis, MN. There are times when I dearly miss conducting, especially church choirs, but for now I am quite content working as a composer and running my own publishing company, Sacred Voice Music Publishing.

My formal training started with a BM in voice/choir and theory composition, which led to a MM in choral music. I was very fortunate to then be employed at Northland College, a small liberal arts school, as the vocal music and theory/composition instructor. My knowledge of choral music, conducting, and teaching all levels of music theory, blossomed during the nine years there. I also was involved in a variety of administrative levels at the college, often serving as Chair of the Music Department. In addition to work at the college, I also conducted a community choir and a church choir.

Psalm 66 - for SATB a cappella choir
FaithPartners Commission: "There's a Hand" and "Sing to the Lord"
Sing Alleluia! - for SAB choir and piano (Easter/Praise Anthem)
Psalm 23 - for SATB or SSAA choir (original music set in 1983 and revised in 2005)