Gustave Jakob Stoeckel (1819 – May 14, 1907) was a longtime music instructor and college organist at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Born in Bavaria, Stoeckel came to the United States in 1848, and joined the University in 1855 when he was appointed organist of Yale College Chapel. He pioneered Yale's program in music and was one of its first faculty, beginning to teach vocal music that same year. In 1868, he became the first faculty director of the Yale Glee Club, Yale's oldest singing group, now a professionally led 80-voice choir of international fame.[1]
Stoeckel compiled a hymnal with the title Sacred Music, first published in 1868. He held the position of organist at Yale's chapel for over 30 years, beginning in 1860 until his resignation in May 1894.[2] He made his last appearance as a professor of music performing preludes and postludes for the graduating class at the commencement exercises held in Battell Chapel on Sunday, June 24, 1894.[2]
Stoeckel Hall of Yale University is named in honour of Gustave J. Stoeckel. Since 1954, it has been used by Yale's School of Music, and has been the home of the Yale College Department of Music since its renovations were completed in January 2009. The building, at the corner of College and Wall Streets, was built in 1897 in the Venetian Gothic style,[3] and is exemplary of the architectural variance and detail of Yale's buildings from that era.
Battell Chapel is named for Joseph Battell, whose 1854 gift enabled the university to begin offering music education.[4] Stoeckel Hall houses the Norfolk Summer School headquarters, faculty studios, and the Oral History, American Music Project with its audio and videotaped interviews of Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Duke Ellington and others.[4]