ANNE BEGG - MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Anne Begg is a freelance musician and educator. She studied classical guitar at university and graduated from VCA and ANU with a Bachelor of Arts (music performance) and Graduate Diploma (performance).  Since her formal studies Anne’s performing experience covers a wide range of solo and ensemble activities, including concerto work with South Melbourne Symphony and regional orchestras.  She currently plays with Allegrezza Duo (flute and guitar) and The Guitar Collaboration.

Anne has extensive instrumental teaching experience in guitar and is also a qualified classroom music teacher.  Anne studied cello in her adult years and played with Brisbane Symphony Orchestra before moving to Bendigo where she now performs regularly with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra.

Her interest in choral music began in high school and following this passion, she has been a member of Melbourne’s Gloriana chamber choir, Radcliffe Choral Society (Harvard University, USA) Tanglewood Festival Chorus, USA, the Melbourne Chorale Symphonic Chorus, and the Melbourne Chorale Ensemble.  Anne has undertaken choral conducting studies at Harvard and various conducting professional development opportunities with ABODA (Australian Band and Orchestra Director’s Association) and OV (Orchestra Victoria). 

Anne is excited to commence as Music Director of “Women of Note” choir and continue her passion in choral music from the other side of the podium.

Read more about Anne Begg from The Bendigo Times March 24 2023

MERLE HOPMAN - ACCOMPANIST

It is with great pleasure that Women of Note welcomes back Merle Hopman as our new accompanist. She has joined us after the retirement of Peter Butler at the end of 2023.

Merle introduces herself to you …

I started my piano studies in East Oakleigh with Mrs Fenn and later in Bendigo with Mrs Leila Watson. I had a strange idea as a seven year old that my teacher liked interrupting my playing so for a while there I deliberately made mistakes so that she could correct me and be happy.

I learnt recorder and flute and in the early 80s, and played Irish and Australian folk music in bands with a bunch of hairy men.

In 1979 I was appointed as a music specialist with the Department of Education. For 41 years I taught music in primary schools, both in Melbourne  and Bendigo, basing my teaching on Orff and Kodaly methodology, including composition, dance, guitar, recorder and flute. In 2014 I was awarded a national excellence award, signed by Peter Garrett, for my contribution to Choral Education in Primary schools.

I conducted the Training and Reserve Choirs of the Bendigo Youth Choir for 13 years. I accompanied the Performing Choir for 5 years travelling overseas, interstate and playing at many memorable concerts for them.

Then my accompanying career led me to the Women of Note choir in 2011. My time with the choir included amazing tours of South Africa, USA and New Zealand.

I’m now retired from teaching but still conduct a choir at Spring Gully Primary School, a delightful bunch of young singers who brighten my week. I’m an avid gardener and do obedience trialling with my beautiful sheltie, Jesse.

It’s great to be back with Women of Note and enjoying supporting their wonderful music making.

2024 Committee of Management

President - Murene Cassai

Vice-President - Maree Wallace

Secretary - Ros Chenery

Assistant Secretary - Mary-Anne Beck

Minute Secretary - Deborah Blake

Treasurer - Jill Frederick

Assistant Treasurer - Trish Bulliss