We are sad to announce that, after 13 years, we will be parting ways with our Musical Director, Murray Hipkin.
The Pink Singers, an LGBTQ+ community choir based in London, bids a very fond and heartfelt Pinkie farewell to our long-standing Musical Director, Murray Hipkin. Following recent changes in Murray’s career, we have made the difficult, mutual decision that it is time for Murray’s tenure to come to an end.
Murray has been the Pinkies’ Musical Director for over 13 years and whilst sad to say goodbye, we appreciate the outstanding service and dedication that he has shown to us and our community for such an extended period. Since Murray took the musical helm, we have grown to become a 100-strong group of amateur singers who come together to sing, perform and campaign for our community both in the UK and abroad. We remain proud to represent a diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities from all walks of life, united by a passion for choral singing. Murray has given us his extraordinary talent, musical passion and love of our community, and for that we will remain forever grateful.
“It is with enormous sadness that I have had to accept that major changes in my career path, necessitated in no small part by the current upheaval at English National Opera, where I have worked since 1983, mean that I am no longer in a position to give the Pink Singers the time and energy that they need and deserve from their Musical Director. The last 13 years count among the most joyful and affirming of my professional life and it has been a truly transformative experience to have had the privilege of working with the choir. My work with them has taken me to Pride marches around the world, into the recording studio, onto Zoom, and, of course, to wonderful concert venues such as Het Concertgebouw, in Amsterdam, the NCPA, Mumbai and, of course, our London “home”, Cadogan Hall. I have made friendships for life and learned many invaluable lessons and I will always be grateful for my time as MD of this amazing community.”
Murray Hipkin
We wish Murray all the very best for his next endeavours and know that he will never be far from our performances, our hearts and the LGBTQ+ community.
Murray’s farewell performance with the choir will be as guest conductor at our next concert alongside Interim Musical Director, Olivia Doust on the 20th January 2024.
Joey Tabone, Trustee, The Pink Singers’ Charity