Pelagos is an ancient Greek word meaning "the deep, the open sea". An adventure in music recording and publishing, we encourage world rhythms and contemporary voices, sacred and secular song.

 
Pelagos Incorporated, an independent record label, music publisher, and arts management agency, was founded by Margaret Race and Paul Halley in 1998.  Pelagos emphasizes the creation of new music, blending the sounds and rhythms of diverse cultures with Western elements of Classical, Choral, and Jazz.

The Pelagos approach is characterized by arrangements using authentic vocal techniques and instrumentation, resulting in music that is exciting, enlivening and enriching, music for heart and mind, innovative, and transforming.
 
In addition to a sizeable catalogue of published titles, including choral anthems, keyboard scores, and symphonic works, Pelagos has an expanding list of audio recordings. Pelagos offerings are available in the form of digital downloads, compact discs, sheet music, music licensing for film, television, and video, and commissioned works and concert performances.  
 

Meg Race
President

 

Margaret Race, President,
brings a strong background in operations and management to Pelagos. Ms. Race conceived the company’s initial business plan and capitalization, and has overseen the design and production of all recordings and published music.  She has developed a comprehensive marketing campaign with website, mail-order catalogue, independent distribution agreements, and media development, garnering the attention of prominent music and entertainment journals, as well as significant radio and television programming.
 
Ms. Race initially partnered with Paul Halley in 1991 to found the not-for-profit Joyful Noise, Inc., which comprises the children’s choir, Chorus Angelicus and the adult chamber choir, Gaudeamus. She served at JNI as Executive Director from 1991 to 1997 and produced three recordings released with Paul Halley on the Joyful Noise label.  A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Williams College, Ms. Race was trained as an artist and has professional credits in the fields of illustration, architecture, and interior design.
 

Paul Halley
Creative Director

 

Paul Halley, Creative Director,
brings a significant and recognized talent to Pelagos.  As an internationally known composer, conductor, and keyboardist, Halley has earned five Grammy Awards for his compositions and performances.  With an M.A. from Cambridge University, Halley built a professional career that includes eighteen years as featured writer and performer with The Paul Winter Consort, thirteen years as Director of Music at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, and sixteen years as Artistic Director of Joyful Noise, Inc. where he earned a following for brilliantly conceived concert programs and a natural ability to inspire and motivate singers of all ages. 

In 1999, Halley became Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington, CT and expanded the liturgical music program to include Vespers services, the Trinity Arts Series, and an Organ Scholarship with Yale University. In July 2007, Halley relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia to assume the Music Directorship of three of the city’s most venerable institutions, St. George’s Anglican Church, Atlantic School of Theology, and the Chapel of the University of King’s College, where Halley has establishing an Organ and Choral Scholar Program, and hopes to develop a new School of Sacred Music. The semi-professional Chapel Choir of the University of King’s College is gaining a reputation under Halley’s direction as one of the best choral ensembles in Canada, receiving airplay of concerts in the “King’s at the Cathedral” series on CBC.

Licensing

Paul Halley's music publishing entity, Back Alley Music, is an ASCAP affiliate and is administered by Pelagos Incorporated. Statutory Mechanical Licensing for Back Alley Music may be arranged through the Harry Fox Agency.  Synchronization Licensing and Permission to Arrange for Back Alley Music is administered by Pelagos Incorporated. Please call us for details, assistance, or quotes.

Link www.harryfox.com.


Performances

The artists featured on Pelagos recordings are available for concert performances in a variety of ensemble or solo configurations as their schedules allow.  Please contact Pelagos for a schedule of performance fees for these artists.

Link Performances


Commissions

If you would like to commission a new work for your organization for a premiere performance or to commemorate a special event, please contact Pelagos for Paul Halley's schedule of rates. Choral and instrumental compositions, from solo works to full orchestrations, may be commissioned. Prices are quoted per minute according to the finished length of the work.

Link Commissions