Hopkins, Edward Jerome
1836-1898
Son of the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins. He was born in Burlington, Vermont, and received his early education there. Was later a student at the University of Vermont, and then at the New York Medical College. His thorough knowledge of music he gained himself, his only instruction being in his home and in his father's church. He became organist and choir leader in various churches at Burlington and New York City. He gave concert lectures throughout the United States; was editor of several musical publications, and was the founder of the Orphion free school for choir-boys in New York City. It was under his leadership that the first choir of childvoices sang Handel's Halleujah Chorus. His compositions include music for children's voices; Samuel, a cantata; Dumb Love, an opera; and Taffy and Old Munch; Festival Vespers for a boy choir; church-music; secular songs; and piano pieces. His work is known not only in America but in England, where his orchestral music was played at the Crystal Palace, London, in 1874, and in Germany, where, at Liszt's house at Weimar, his chamber-music was introduced. Hopkins died at his home near Passaic, New Jersey.