Dr. Brian Hopwood
M100 Casebolt Music Center
Bolivar, MO 65613
Courses taught: Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Conducting, Instrumental Fundamentals, Instrumental Repertoire, and Methods of Teaching Instrumental Music
Why do you enjoy teaching at SBU? "I was attracted by the feeling of "family" and oneness of spirit at SBU. This is a wonderful place to work and live and I am honored and blessed to be a part of this 'family'."
Educational and Professional Background: Dr. Hopwood is the Director of Instrumental Studies at SBU in Bolivar, MO where he conducts the Wind Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, and teaches conducting and instrumental music education. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with honors from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduate diploma in Wind Conducting and Literature from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University.
Dr. Hopwood is an authority on the literature and repertoire for the wind band and is a brass specialist with trumpet as his major instrument. He has taught all levels of instrumental music, elementary through college, and is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. Dr. Hopwood has presented papers, lectures, and workshops at colleges and universities across the country. His dissertation, Wind Band Repertoire: Programming Practices at Conventions of the College Band Directors National Association, was presented at the 1999 National Convention of the College Band Directors National Association at the University of Texas, Austin. He holds memberships in the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, International Trumpet Guild, and the Missouri Bandmasters Association as well as the Missouri Music Educators Association and Music Educators National Conference. Dr. Hopwood is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in American Education, and Who’s Who in America. He is an elected member of the American School Band Directors Association, the National Music Honor Society of Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Beta Mu, the International School Bandmasters’ Fraternity.
For six years, he was the principal conductor and music director of the Boulder Concert Band, recognized as one of the region’s premier community bands. His teaching experience includes 27 years as a school band director in Colorado where his band program at Manitou Springs High School was considered a model for small schools. Dr. Hopwood was inducted into The Colorado Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in January, 2007.
Faith dedications: Dr. Hopwood attends First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Missouri where he plays the trumpet in the orchestra.