Beloved Wilmington music teacher Bob Alexander to be remembered with concert

For decades, Bob Alexander taught people how to sing.

First as a choral instructor for New Hanover High School. Then at John T. Hoggard High School, where he wrote the school song and founded the Hoggard Voyagers ensemble, which is still active today. And also at Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served as music director for more than three decades.

“He was a hero to a lot of people,” said Johannes Bron, a former student of Alexander’s.

Bron has organized a tribute concert in memory of Alexander, who died in October of 2018 at the age of 86. On Sunday, Feb. 9, at Trinity Methodist, the current iteration of the Voyagers will perform, along with some of Alexander’s former students as well as musicians playing the teacher’s favorite works.

The idea for a tribute concert, Bron said, arose after Alexander’s funeral couldn’t be held at his beloved Trinity church, which had been damaged by Hurricane Florence. Instead, a graveside service was held, despite the inclement weather.

“It was raining, and it wasn’t just drizzling,” Bron said. “It was pouring.”

Even so, he added, “We couldn’t let Bob go without singing.” And so, an alumni choir that included many of Alexander’s former students sang in the downpour as Alexander was laid to rest.

“It was beautiful,” Bron said.

Afterwards, the idea for a tribute concert was hatched. Now that repairs to Trinity have been made, Alexander can be memorialized in the church where he spent so many years.

Bron said the concert has been designed to reflect Alexander’s life. He started as a strings instructor at New Hanover before he switched to teaching chorus, so Kathy Birch will play a piece on cello.

Alexander was also instrumental in helping Trinity obtain its pipe organ and Steinway piano, so John Tabler will play a selection for organ and Daniel Poissant for piano. Also, vocalist Angela Burns will sing, and Jennifer Whiting will play a piece for flute.

In addition, John T. Hoggard choral director Benjamin Horrell will lead the current group of Hoggard Voyagers, and a choir with some of Alexander’s former students. including Bron, will perform.

Over coffee in downtown Wilmington recently, Bron recalled the impact that Alexander had on his own life. He recalled seeing a choir performance as a child that was led by Alexander during his days at New Hanover.

“I was so mesmerized. I told my parents, ’I want to be just like him,’” Bron said. “And here I am, following in his footsteps. I always admired the man so much.”

Not only did Bron become the choral instructor at New Hanover (from 1985-2010), but he’s currently music director at Trinity.

After his stint at Hoggard from 1967 until 1981, Alexander served a decade as cultural arts director for New Hanover County Schools, where his accomplishments included helping to start the annual Best Foot Forward arts showcase with late communications director Dianne Avery.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.

What: Tribute concert in memory of Bob Alexander

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1403 Market St., Wilmington

Info: Admission is free.

Details: 910-762-3316

Want to go?