HINKLE, ROY B. (1929-2014)

 

Composer Roy Hinkle, born March 28, 1929, a native of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, came to the Reading area in 1963 to join the faculty of Albright College. Prior to that time he served as Music Supervisor for the public schools of Freeland, Pennsylvania. The academic training of this Reading composer began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1951 from the Pennsylvania State University. In August of 1987, he received the Doctor of Education degree in Music Education. From 1963-2000, Roy Hinkle served on the Music faculty of Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania in many capacities as teacher, band and choral director.

 

While doing extensive study at Temple University, Hinkle studied music composition with Robert Morgan and the late Clifford Taylor. Earlier, while at Pennsylvania State University as an undergraduate, he studied with George Ceiga.

 

Recognition for earlier music composition has been received by Dr. Hinkle from entries in the Berks County Arts Festival composition competition. In 1971, he shared first prize for his setting of “Psalm 121” for tenor voice, piano, women’s chorus and woodwind choir (AP-01460). In 1983, a first prize was received for a cycle of “Five Emily Dickinson Songs” (AP-01305) and for a song, “Christmas Eve,” for voice, flute, and piano, based on a text by the composer (AP-01591). Since the fall of 2000, Dr. Hinkle was Professor Emeritus from Albright College and continued singing professionally at the First Presbyterian Church of Reading as a tenor soloist and section leader, and as guest soloist in oratorio and art song presentations around the state.

 

He was married to Elizabeth Hinkle, a former member of the Music Department faculty of Alvernia College and founder-director of the Berks Camerata Singers for whom she utilized his singing and music composition talents. She also directs the Phoebe Choraliers from Wernersville, Pennsylvania. Roy B. Hinkle died in 2014.