Biography

American Composer Hampson Albert Sisler was born in New York in 1932.

Hampson Sisler

His exceptional musical talent was evident when at age five he was already attempting to compose and could play piano and reed organ by ear without any training.

His mother, an amateur musician, gave him his first music lessons. She taught him basic piano and local teachers started him on a more advanced piano and organ education. By age eleven he had chosen the organ as his main instrument and was playing professionally in churches.

His prodigious performances soon drew the attention of many well-known musicians, including David McWilliams, organist and choir master of New York´s famed St. Bartholomew’s Church. Williams became his first major mentor, followed, notably by Norman Coke-Jephcott of New York´s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where he gave his first public organ recital after becoming the youngest ever fellow of the American Guild of Organists at age 17. Sisler also achieved the Trinity College of London´s Licentiate Teacher of Organ and Related Subjects Diploma with honors.

Currently he has a duel career as organist and composer with over one hundred published works to his credit. He has held many prestigious positions in churches throughout the greater New York area and is currently Music Director of the Central Presbyterian Church in New York City – a post formerly held by American composer Charles Ives. His compositions have been performed in Europe, Russia, Hawaii, and both North and South America.