Event: The Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music will host a memorial to honor the late Gerre Hancock, organ and sacred music professor, who died Jan. 21 due to cardiac arrest. “Celebrating the Life of Gerre Hancock” will include speeches reflecting on Hancock’s life and legacy in addition to musical performances from students, faculty members and guest organist Todd Wilson. The event is free and open to the public.
When: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14
Where: Bates Recital Hall, MRH Building
Background: Hancock’s funeral was held in New York City on Saturday, Feb. 4. His ashes were laid to rest in Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue beneath the floor of the chancel where the choir directors stand to lead the choir.
Prior to his appointment at The University of Texas at Austin, Hancock held the position of organist and master of choristers at Saint Thomas Church for more than 30 years, where he set a standard for church music in America.
“Gerre Hancock was a legend in his own time. We are so fortunate to have had him on the faculty in the Butler School of Music for nearly nine years,” said Glenn Chandler, director of the Butler School of Music. “After a 32-year career at Saint Thomas Church where he and his wife, Judith, built what was arguably the finest Anglican church music program in the United States, he came back to his alma mater to pass on to the next generation of organists the knowledge and skills that he had so wonderfully mastered during his lifetime. We will sorely miss him.”
