The King's Connection Magazine Volume 23 Number 1//Summer 2012 | Page 22

ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni News
King’s alumnus survives crisis, connects through song

W

hen you listen to the music of
King’s alumnus Simon Hoskyn
you get to know an artist who pours
himself into every song as a writer
and as a performer. Through his
songs he shares concerns, hopes
and inspiration. Drawing on his life
for subject matter, he examines the
ordinary in an extraordinary way.
On February 10, Simon and his
band entertained a crowd of eager
listeners at King’s. With three albums
under his belt, Simon continues to write songs and play as he
did all through his undergrad - including at an Interdisciplinary
Studies Conference where he performed “I Want To Go Home”,
a song written in response to the earthquake in Haiti. He sold
a recording of the song for $1, ultimately raising approximately
$600 towards CRWRC’s work in Haiti.
Simon’s music and faith played an important role this past
November when he experienced a cardiac arrest during a
game of pick-up basketball and needed to be hospitalized.
After undergoing many tests, doctors had no indication why he
had a cardiac arrest. He was given an Implantable Cardioverter
Defibrillator (ICD), which is programmed to detect arrhythmia
and correct it. He has now completed a cardiac rehabilitation
program and has been told to return to his life as before.
Just prior to his cardiac arrest, Simon wrote a song called “Life
Is Made of Water”, which explores the journey through birth, life,
and death. The song closes with the words: “There’s something
in the weight that’s lifted off your chest / when you hear the
voice of one who knows you best / And your body finds its heart

*

Simon graduated from King’s in April 2011 with
a bachelor of arts with a major in english and a
minor in music. He is currently studying Law at the
University of Alberta.

22 ///The King’s Connection /// Summer 2012

“

Simon has an incredible capacity to
move his thinking between what he
knows as a child of God and what
he senses as a child of this world.
His startling theological and literary
revelations inform his music in a way
that demonstrates to any listener his
wisdom, insight and vitality.”
Dr. Arlette Zinck, Associate Professor of English

beating in the breast / of the Maker of your life, the Maker of
your death.” While he was in the hospital, this song was a great
comfort to his wife, King’s alumna Marney Elzen-Hoskyn (BMus
‘06), allowing her to stay connected to her husband during a
frightening time.
Simon emphasizes that his recovery is due largely to the love and
support of his wife and three year-old son. He also expresses
deep gratitude to God for answering the prayers of his family,
friends, and the church worldwide. Simon continues to focus on
his family, study full-time, and play music with his band.

You can hear Simon’s music online at
www.simonhoskyn.bandcamp.com

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