Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Bridgewater College Concert Choir, Chorale and Handbell  Choir

The Bridgewater Concert Choir and Chorale are directed by Dr. Jesse E. Hopkins, the Edwin L. Turner Distinguished Professor of Music at Bridgewater. The repertory includes works from the Baroque era through contemporary classical music. The Concert Choir is selected by audition each fall and includes students from all four classes at Bridgewater. The group performs at special occasions on campus and each spring presents a series of weekend concerts throughout the eastern United States.

The Chorale, selected by audition in the spring of the year, prepares two programs a year — a choreographed program of popular music and a sacred concert. The Chorale has completed five international concert tours, performing in Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Germany. In May 1995, the Chorale made its New York City debut at Carnegie Hall performing Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with the Bohuslav Philharmonic Orchestra of the Czech Republic. The ensemble was selected to perform the same Mozart piece at the American Choral Directors Association.

Hopkins has led study tours for Bridgewater College students in England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. On seven occasions, he has taught Polynesian music and culture for Bridgewater students traveling to Hawaii.

Since 1973, Hopkins has been director of music at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, where he conducts both the Sanctus choir and the adult handbell choir. In 2001, Hopkins received the Martha B. Thornton Faculty Recognition Award presented by Bridgewater College to faculty members who “provide caring concern for students well beyond the role as teacher.”