Biography

Christopher J. Hoh was born in 1959 in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he grew up studying piano, organ, theory, harmony and several instruments.  As a young singer and accompanist, he cites learning great contemporary works under the batons of Kerry Krebill and Donald Hinkle as major influences.  His workshop experience includes Jean Berger, Daniel Moe, Robert Page, Timothy Seelig, Alice Parker and Craig Jessop, among others.  Most of his music is choral, in a modern classical vein, although he has written some instrumental pieces and experimented with electronic timbres.

Since the first public performances in 1985, his compositions have been well received in the United States and overseas.  The Helena (MT) Choral Week selected him as Composer-in-Residence for 2008, which included the premiere of a double choir work, “Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord God of Hosts” as well as a concert devoted to his music.  King's Chapel, Boston, has commissioned a new setting of Psalm 30 for 2010.   Recent years saw premieres of "Evening Music: Five Sarton Poems" in Maryland, Montana and Virginia, as well as Spain, Slovenia and Italy.  St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church on Washington's Capitol Hill commissioned for Pentecost 2009 "From Heaven There Came A Sound" for children's and adult choirs, piano and percussion. They have also performed several other Hoh pieces, including "There's A Wideness in God's Mercy," “Blest Zion, I Love Thee" (All Saints Day) the premiere of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” and a reprise of "Stars of the Morning" (written for them).  ERM Media is releasing three CD's with his music, including "Snow-Flakes" (Longfellow) for mixed chorus and celesta (2009), "You Are God" (Te Deum) for SATB Choir and chamber orchestra (2010), and "Sanctus & Benedictus" for SATB Choir and strings (2010).  Hoh's setting of "Behold That Star," arranged for baritone solo, SATB, and organ was published by Augsburg Fortress Press.  Now it and most of his other choral compositions are available via his website, www.HohMadeMusic.com. 

Chris's formal education and career have been in international affairs.  He graduated from Georgetown University in 1982 and joined the U.S. diplomatic service in 1984.  He has served in Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany and Peru, at the United Nations in New York and as a peacekeeper in Egypt's Sinai desert as well as in various positions at the State Department in Washington.  Much of his career has been devoted to Southeast European diplomacy, post-conflict response and personnel innovation and training.

He is a member of ASCAP, the American Music Center, Chorus America and the American Composers Forum, on whose site you can find more info about Chris Hoh, including program notes on the Sarton poems.