The Hope College Symphonette, under the direction of Dr. Richard Piippo, has announced its annual Spring tour beginning with a farewell on-campus concert in Holland on Thursday, March 14, followed by concerts in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 7:30 p.m.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel
Hope College campus
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 7 p.m.
St. James Episcopal Church
155 North 6th St.
Zainesville, Ohio 43701
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 7 p.m.
Plains Mennonite Church
50 W. Orvilla Road
Hatfield, Pa. 19440
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 7 p.m.
Colts Neck Reformed Church
72 County Rd. 537 W.
Colts Neck, N.J. 07722
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 7:30 p.m.
Montvale Evangelical Free Church
141 W. Grand Ave.
Montvale N.J. 07645
HISTORY OF HOPE COLLEGE SYMPHONETTE
The Symphonette is selected each year from the larger Hope College symphony orchestra. Through the Symphonette, the music department 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.
T he 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, Europe, 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.
2013 SYMPHONETTE MEMBERS
VIOLIN
Ranya Betts, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Katie Callam, Holland, Mich.
Larissa Fall, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Katherine Genzink, Holland, Mich.
Kristi Hansen, Ada, Mich.
Cameron Holder, Naples, Fla.
Nicholas Hubley, Fox River Grove, Ill.
Sara Mammen, Stillwater, Minn.
Alec Norkey, Jackson, Mich.
Luke Panning, Holland, Mich.
Eve Panning, Holland, Mich.
Meghanne Tighe, Leonard, MicH.
VIOLA
Anna DeGroot, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Margie Lund, Lexington, S.C.
Kelsey Otter, Grandvile, Mich.
Nicholas Vanderlaan, Greenville, Mich.
Christopher Waechter, Ventura, Calif.
CELLO
Anna Lim, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Adam McVey, Geneva, Ill.
Alex Stradal, Muskegon, Mich.
Laura Vanderveld, Villa Park, Ill.
McLane Watson, Louisville, Colo.
Jacquie Woudenberg, Holland, Mich.
BASS
Eric Greve, Park Ridge, Ill.
Kelli VanDyke, Holland, Mich.
TIMPANI
In Hyuk Hwang, Seoul, South Korea
FLUTES
Faith DeVries, Stillman Valley, Ill.
Ivy Keen, Bellaire, Tex.
Marie Schrampfer, Appleton, Wisc.
OBOE
Erik Larson, Centerville, Ohio
Kelsey O
’
Brien, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
CLARINET
Thomas Flath, Oconomowoc, Wisc.
Nicole Whitmore, Clarkston, Mich.
BASSOON
Jennifer Hielkema, Columbus, Ohio
Christopher Miller, Grand Ledge, Mich.
H
ORNS
Matt Brown, Flint, Mich.
Melanie Lloyd, Oswego, Ill.
TRUMPETS
Gary Cooper, Okemos, Mich.
Alexandria Kessell, Custer, Mich.
PIANO/CELESTE/HARP
James Schippers, Grand Haven, Mich.