Hal Leonard’s Emily Crocker Announces Retirement

Emily Crocker, the long-time Hal Leonard vice president of Choral Publications, has announced her retirement.

Keith Mardak, CEO of Hal Leonard, recounted her time with the company: “Hal Leonard acquired Jensen Publications in 1989 and brought over several employees, including Emily who was already a well-known choral composer and arranger. She quickly stepped up to lead the department and expand our choral offerings to schools, churches, and professional groups.”

As a manager, Crocker oversaw the department’s expansion with the acquisition of Shawnee Press along with many distribution agreements with companies including Boosey & Hawkes, Fred Bock Music, and others. She cultivated publishing relationships with some of the most influential and popular choral writers of the last three decades including Mark Brymer, Rollo Dilworth, Roger Emerson, Mac Huff, John Jacobson, Ed Lojeski, Joseph Martin, Kirby Shaw, and many others. She also led the department through new projects including Essential Elements and Voices in Concert choral curriculums, the annual Joy of Singing workshops, Music Express classroom magazine, the development of Disney Learning interactive songbooks, and much more. Although she’s giving up the formal duties of leading the department, Emily will continue composing and consulting for Hal Leonard.

Hal Leonard has announced that choral editor Jesse Weinberg has been promoted to manager – Choral Publications. Jesse Weinberg has a diverse background in pop, jazz and classical music and has been managing arrangers, recording sessions, and digital assets for the department. He will now oversee the company’s choral offerings and marketing endeavors.

Jeff Schroedl, executive vice president at Hal Leonard, commented, “We are thankful to Emily for the years of service, leadership, innovation, and most importantly, the beautiful music that she brought to our choral division. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement. We’re also excited for Jesse to develop and grow our offerings for choirs and classrooms.”