BROOKSIDE

Composer: Roy Hopp

Roy Hopp (b. 1951) is the Director of Music at Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI and Adjunct Professor of Choral Music at Calvin Theological Seminary, where he directs the Calvin Theological Seminary Choir. Hopp graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and from Michigan State University with a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting. He did further studies in church music and composition with Richard Hillert at Concordia University in River Forest, IL. He has served as a Director of Music in churches in West Michigan and Colorado for the past twenty years. His choral compositions have appeared in the catalogues of AugsburgFortress, earthsongs, GIA Publications, Inc., Kjos, Morni… Go to person page >

Roy Hopp (PHH 11) composed BROOKSIDE in May 1981 for use with "O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts" (307) at a communion service. The tune is named for Brookside Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Hopp was choir director when he wrote the tune.

BROOKSIDE has a somewhat angular melodic contour; it has strong ascending intervals and a comforting stepwise descent in the final phrase. The harmonization invites part singing.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook