Choral Society pays tribute to John Hopkins

Posted by Cassy Eaton (Choral Society) on 18 June 2014

Choral Society (MonUCS) honours the life and work of classical music icon John Hopkins, with a tribute concert at the South Melbourne Town Hall.

Last year we were deeply saddened by the passing of John Hopkins, an integral member of the Melbourne music community for many years as well as a musical revolutionary around the world. On Sunday the 1st of June at 2pm in the South Melbourne Town Hall the Monash University Choral Society and the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra performed a joint concert to celebrate his life and work. This concert was called The Music Maker: a Tribute to John Hopkins. The concert raised funds for the Rosemary and John Hopkins Award; to allow his legacy to continue to live on in the hearts of aspiring musicians and conductors.

Conducted by Patrick Burns, the concert program included Elgar, “The Music Makers”, Eric Whitacre, “Sleep” , Sarah Hopkins, “Return to Joy”, Vaughn Williams, “Serenade to Music”, Hubert Parry, “Jerusalem”, and many more.

We were ecstatic to be joined by special guests Liane Keegan, Hannah Dahlenburg, Margaret Haggart, Suzanne Johnston, Ian Cousins and many more.

The concert was attended by almost three hundred people including the family, friends and colleagues of John. The haunting chime of the hall bell immediately after our final piece, The Music Makers, convinced a lot of us that John was with us too. We received fantastic feedback from various audience members and through snacks, raffle tickets and immediate donations from the audience we have raised at least $800 for the Rosemary and John Hopkins award. Overall, MonUCS is very proud of this concert with the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra and cannot wait for our next concert, with the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra in August.

Find out more about the Choral Society (MonUCS)