Hoogenakker, Virginia R. 1921-2009

HOOGENAKKER

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 21:08:03

Virginia Ruth Hoogenakker, 87, died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at Highland Home. Miss Hoogenakker was born on April 8, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of the late Timothy and Bertha Hoogenakker.

A resident of Jackson, MS, since 1938, she graduated from Central High School and continued her education at Belhaven College. She received a Bachelor of Music in 1943 and was selected for listing in Who's Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. After graduation, she attended Chicago Musical College where she received the Master of Music degree. She completed further study at DePaul University, Syracuse University and attended the Paul Christiansen Choral Workshops at Bemidji State Teachers College and Denver University.

In the summer of 1960, at the invitation on Paul Christiansen, she sang in the Art Choir for the entire season at Chautauqua, NY. Miss Hoogenakker, an accomplished violinist, studied violin with Leon Sametini and Paul Stassevitch, composition with Max Wald, conducting with Rudolph Ganz and music history and literature with Hans Rosenwald.

She was a charter member of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and was principal of the second violin section of the orchestra. Miss Hoogenakker was also a member of the Jackson Opera Guild Orchestra. She has served on the Jackson Symphony Association Board of Governors and the Jackson Opera Guild Board. She was a former president and faithful life member of the Chaminade Club and served as the national president Mu Phi Epsilon. She holds life membership in the American String Teachers Association and the Choristers Guild.

Miss Hoogenakker served as the Musical Director of Ascension Lutheran Church, where she served as organist and directed the chancel, chapel and carol choirs. She was a member of the Lutheran Church Women in American, Lutheran Society of Worship, Music and the Arts, was a member of the Southeastern Synodical Committee on Youth Activities.

Miss Hoogenakker retired from Belhaven College as the Music Department Chair, beginning her career as an associate professor of violin and music theory. During her career she served as President of the Belhaven Faculty Club and the Jackson Music Teachers Association. She was honored by the school in 1963 as the Alumnus of the Year and in later in her career, the awarding of the Honorary Doctorate of Music.

She will be remembered by her friends as a dedicated daughter who served as the caretaker for her mother since the untimely death of her father. She will be remembered for her smile, vivacious and bubbly personality and for her true love of music. She is survived by numerous cousins and friends.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery

Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home