Milton Hastings Hallman

Milton Hastings Hallman, born on April 15, 1937, in Columbia, S.C., passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his residence in Mableton, GA at the age of 88. He was the son of the late Theus and Marie Hallman of Columbia. He is survived by his wife, Penelope Cowell Hallman; his daughters, Ashley (Mrs. David Roberts) and Jennifer (Mrs. Michael Morrissey); and three grandchildren, Nathan Roberts, and Ava and Gavin Morrissey.

Dr. Hallman was Professor of Music at Louisiana State University from 1966 to 2000, where he taught piano, music history, and music appreciation. A 1959 graduate of Furman University, he met his wife at Florida State University where he earned his Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

During his career, he performed with the LSU and Baton Rouge Symphonies and played numerous recitals and lecture-recitals at universities and music conventions around the country. He also played concerts abroad in London, Munich, and Paris.

His CD, “Ernst von Dohnanyi, Milton Hallman, Piano” was released by Centaur Records and reviewed favorably in the New York Times, airing on WQXR as “Recording of the Week” in July 1988. His textbook “Facing the Music” was published in 1996 by Simon & Schuster and has been used by thousands of students at LSU where, during his last year of teaching, he received the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society’s Award for Superior Instruction of Freshmen Students.

After retiring from LSU, Dr. Hallman wrote his autobiography and a lengthy series of personal essays. He introduced his family members to many classic movies, invented the hand-wave method of blowing out birthday candles, continued to practice the piano, and performed for his family, especially Penny, his wife of 62 years.

A celebration of Dr. Hallman’s life will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Dunbar Funeral Home at 3926 Devine Street in Columbia, S.C. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Avenue in Columbia.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com