Beatin' Path Publications
302 East College Street
Bridgewater, VA 22812
540-478-4833
fax: 540-828-6903
Dr. Jesse E. Hopkins, Jr., The Edwin L. Turner Distinguished Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities and Chair of the Department of Music at Bridgewater College, is a 1970 graduate of Bridgewater College and holds the Master of Music Education degree from James Madison University and a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Hopkins joined the Bridgewater faculty in 1977 following six years of public school teaching. As well serving as advisor, conductor and teacher, Dr. Hopkins works with several committees, including the Lyceum committee, coordinating visiting artists.
During the last several years, Dr. Hopkins and the Bridgewater choirs have performed the world premieres of thirteen new choral works composed by nationally known composers of choral music, including Alice Parker, Daniel Gawthrop, Rene Clausen and James Fritschel. Dr. Hopkins is, himself, the composer of several works for chorus and chorus with handbells.
In addition to his duties at the College, which include directing the Chorale, Concert Choir and Oratorio Choir, Dr. Hopkins is a frequent clinician/guest conductor for school and church events. His work and interest in travel have taken him abroad on numerous occasions, and in 1993, he was a composer-in-residence at the Cit International des Arts in Paris. Dr. Hopkins is active in the American Choral Directors' Association, a past officer of the Virginia Choral Director's Association, and a reviewer of choral works for the Choral Journal.
