Paul Halley was born in Romford, England in 1952, received his early musical training in Ottawa, Canada, and at the age of sixteen was made an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Having been awarded the organ scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, Halley received his M.A., and was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

From 1977 to 1989, Paul Halley was Organist and Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. He transformed the Cathedral's music programme into a rich combination of classical and contemporary music. He was also a principal member of the Paul Winter Consort, and earned three Grammy Awards for his contributions as a featured writer and performer on many Consort recordings. Halley's music has been performed and recorded by many notable artists and ensembles, including the New Jersey Symphony, and John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Following his departure from the Cathedral in 1989, Halley founded Joyful Noise, Inc., the non-profit organisation which administers the activities and tours of his children's choir "Chorus Angelicus" and the adult ensemble "Gaudeamus". Halley's compositions are available from "Pelagos Incorporated", the music publishing company for which he acts as Creative Director.'