The
Reading Choral Society is very proud to have Mr. Peter Hopkins
as its Music Director. Hopkins is currently the director
of Music Ministry and Choirmaster at St. Peter’s Church,
Third and Pine Streets, Philadelphia. He conducts the adult
and children’s choirs, and oversees the music ministry.
All of the St. Peter’s choirs train and sing under cathedral
style standards.
Prior to moving to Philadelphia, Hopkins
served as conductor of the Kalamazoo Bach Festival, the
Michigan Bach Collegium, the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and
Boys, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus. He has led performances
running the gamut of choral literature; from plainsong and
renaissance motets through the major oratorio literature
for chorus and orchestra as well as symphonies and concerti.
Every summer Mr. Hopkins prepares the
professional chorus of the Oregon Bach Festival as Assistant
Chorusmaster. Peter Hopkins is equally comfortable directing
instrumentalists as well as singers, and enjoys working
with a combination of amateurs and professionals. His doctoral
studies were done at Michigan State University as well as
in England and Germany. He is a student of famed conductor
Helmuth Rilling, working with him since 1985, and is the
only American to guest conduct Rilling’s Internationale
Bachakademie Stuttgart.
Hopkins is a lyric tenor of professional
quality and an experienced voice teacher. Along with playing
the piano, harpsichord and organ he frequently performs
as a continuo player.
Mary Bishop | Accompanist
| Reading Choral Society
Mary Bishop received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying from West Chester University where she studied with Benjamin Whitten. Mrs. Bishop has taught vocal and instrumental music in Reading School District and Rose Tree Media School District. While taking time off from public music education to raise her son she is teaching private piano, saxophone, and clarinet from her home and accompanying various groups and recitals. She also plays piano in an eighteen-piece big band. Since 2004 she has also been an accompanist for the Berks Classical Children’s Chorus.
Reading Choral Society
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Suite 529
201 Washington Street
Reading, PA 19601-4040
Phone: 610.898.1939
Fax: 610.898.7864 information@readingchoral.org
The
Reading Choral Society is very proud to have Mr. Peter Hopkins
as its Music Director. Hopkins is currently the director
of Music Ministry and Choirmaster at St. Peter’s Church,
Third and Pine Streets, Philadelphia. He conducts the adult
and children’s choirs, and oversees the music ministry.
All of the St. Peter’s choirs train and sing under cathedral
style standards. 
Mary Bishop received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying from West Chester University where she studied with Benjamin Whitten. Mrs. Bishop has taught vocal and instrumental music in Reading School District and Rose Tree Media School District. While taking time off from public music education to raise her son she is teaching private piano, saxophone, and clarinet from her home and accompanying various groups and recitals. She also plays piano in an eighteen-piece big band. Since 2004 she has also been an accompanist for the Berks Classical Children’s Chorus.