Peter Joseph Wilhousky[a] (13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor of Rusyn descent.
[1][2][3] During his childhood he was part of the New York Russian Cathedral Boys Choir and gave a performance at the White House to President Woodrow Wilson.
In 1936, Wilhousky wrote a popular English version of the Ukrainian song "Shchedryk" by Mykola Leontovych and called it "Carol of the Bells".
Wilhousky's 1944 choral arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Grammy-winning performance.
"[5][6][7] As a choral director in New York City, he influenced the future careers of musician Julius La Rosa and scientist Stephen Jay Gould.