Joseph Hopkins: Transforming a Better World through Music

UPH Conservatory of Music (CoM) welcomed the arrival of Joseph (Joe) Hopkins who will be aresidence artist for 6 weeks. He will be cooperating a lot with the Vocal Department at UPH CoM through various activities such as Voice & Choral Clinics and Music Theatre Workshop.

Joe Hopkins is a professor and Dean of the School of Arts at Samford University who is in charge of undergraduate and graduate programs in the field of arts such as Graphic Design, Theatre, Dance, Interior Design, Pre-Architecture, Church Music, Music Education, Music Theatre, Instrumental music, Theory, Music History, Vocal / Choral music, Piano and Organ.

Joe explained his reason for visiting Indonesia to serve atUPH Conservatory of Music is part of the Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP). Through this FSP, professionals get the chance to do a ‘placement’ or ‘exchange’ to institutions in other countries for 6 weeks. In addition, Joe previously has also visited several institutions in Indonesia two years ago. He was impressed and he greatly enjoyed his visit in Indonesia. Therefore, he chose Indonesia as a country to be visited in the FSP program. Then, he saw UPH as a Christian university in Indonesia, which has the same values with the university where he works, so he decided to serve at UPH, especially atUPH Conservatory of Music.

As part of UPH family, Joe conveyed some of his thoughts on music education in Indonesia, particularly in UPH. According to him, Indonesia has a very beautiful music, but what surprised him was that music education is still uncommon in Indonesian schools. “Art and music should be an important and fundamental element of a child?s education. The arts are a powerful tool as we seek to change the world,” explained Joe. It has also occured to Joe that it would be good if the prospective teachers in UPH Teacher College could collaborate with UPH Conservatory of Music to introduce music to the next generation through education.

This is an opportunity for UPH to make a tremendous difference. “Samford University and UPHhave similar visions and missions. We believe that we must prepare the next generation through a variety of professional roles to share Christ?s story to the world. We believe Art can change the world through the messages conveyed in the artwork. Our message is Christ. Therefore, Christians artists must strive to be the best, and our Universities must seek to prepare exceptional young talents.”explained Joe. He also said the keys to being the best are hard work and a deep devotion to the profession undertaken.

Joe is very grateful to be able to join the big family of UPH. As an expression of gratitude, he organized a Collaboration Recital on February 3rd, 2015, at Building D. At this concert, he will collaborate with his wife, Suzanne Hopkins, Soprano and Michael Patilla, Guitar. Joe also will collaborate with talented musicians from UPH, such as Alfred Situmorang, Piano and Ridolf Hehanussa, Tenor. He has enjoyed working with the UPH Choir and UPH Chorus Class and will be joined by these ensembles on the concert. (ca)

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