Press Releases
CHURCH MUSIC COMPETITION
The Prize for the Millennium Church Music Competition sponsored by the Dean and Chapter of Armagh Cathedral has been awarded to Mr. Patrick Hopper L.R.S.M. L.T.C.L. F.T.C.L. F.R.C.O. of The Hague for his submission of a setting for the Holy Communion (Revised Text) in F for choir and congregation.
Patrick Hopper was born in The Hague and educated at the British School in the Netherlands. He started his musical training at the age of nine and later studies piano and organ at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Since graduating in 1992, he has built up a busy existence as a freelance musician. His activities include teaching, accompanying, chamber music, solo engagements, recordings and choral conducting.
After a post a Choirmaster at St. Mary's Church, Rotterdam, Patrick returned to The Hague where he became Assistant Organist at the English and American Episcopal Church of St. John & St. Philip. Since last October he has also become director of the Junior Choir there. As a composer of church music he receives a steady stream of commissions from choirs in the Benelux.
The winning composition will have its premiere at the Armagh Church Choir Union's annual Choral Festival Service in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday 18th May at 8pm. The first sound broadcast of the new setting will be heard on Pentecost Sunday (11th June) when St. Patrick's Cathedral will broadcast Morning Service on R.T.E. Radio at 10.45am.