Symphonette Spring Break Tour

The Symphonette

The Hope College Symphonette is selected each year from the larger 75-member college symphony orchestra.  Through the Symphonette, the music department of the college is able to offer concerts to church and school communities some distance from its campus and, at the same time, afford its more proficient players an unusual opportunity for group participation and concentrated study of musical styles.

The Symphonette has made numerous radio and television appearances and has presented children's and youth concerts in addition to its series of formal concerts.  The Symphonette has performed for the biennial meetings of the Music Educators' National Conference (MENC) and appears regularly in cities in Western Michigan.  The Symphonette has appeared on the nationally televised Hour of Power from Garden Grove Church in California.

The annual tour has taken the Symphonette from coast to coast in the U.S. as well as two Provinces in Canada, the British Isles, six countries in Europe, and to Australia and New Zealand.

Conductor Dr. Richard Piippo

An avid performer and promoter of chamber music, Richard Piippo also brings a wealth of solo, orchestral, and conducting experiences to audiences.  Born in Wisconsin, he has Baccalaureate and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  His studies at the university were with George Sopkin of the Fine Arts Quartet.  Further studies were enhanced by work with Pierre Fournier in Switzerland and Lazio Varga and Margaret Rowell at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  His conducting studies have been with George Cleve, Donald Craig, and Marvin Rabin.

Since 1996, Piippo has spent his summers on the faculty of Seminar at Western Michigan University, as conductor, solo performer, teacher and coach.  His work with the Detroit Symphony has included tours of Europe, Japan, Carnegie Hall and numerous recordings.  In the fall of 1999, Piippo joined the faculty of Hope College as professor of cello/chamber music and conductor of orchestras.  The summer of 2000, Piippo performed as soloist and chamber player on the Fontana Chamber Music Festival, the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck, and the Dearborn Summer Music Festival.  This is Piippo's eleventh season as Artistic Director/Conductor of the Dearborn Summer Music Festival.

In the summer of 2005, Piippo toured China for three weeks performing as a soloist and giving masterclasses.

Piippo's performing career began as cellist with the Milwaukee Symphony.  His reputation grew when he captured first place in two national cello competitions.  He appears as soloist and chamber player throughout the United States and Canada, performs as adjunct cellist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and is the cellist with the Anchor Piano Trio.  Critics have commented on his sure technique and lyrical style, which bring audiences and extraordinary musical experience.