Gipson, Richard

Richard Gipson

Biography

Born: October 20, 1949

Country: Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.A.

Studies: Del Mar College (A.A.1969), University of Texas (B.M.1979, M.M.1973) Pennsylvania State University (D. Ed.1978)

Teachers: R. Doyle Horton, George Frock, J. David Boyle

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Richard Gipson came to Texas Christian University in July, 2002 as Director of the School of Music and Professor of Music after serving for 26 years on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma School of Music. Under his leadership, the OU Percussion Department became nationally and internationally recognized for leadership in percussion pedagogy, ensemble performance, publishing, and recording. The group's five compact discs are the most recorded by a university percussion ensemble. The OU Percussion Orchestra was named the outstanding university percussion ensemble in the nation in 1990 by the Percussive Arts Society and was competitively selected to perform an unprecedented four times at PAS International Conventions in 1985, 1990, 1994, and 2001. The group's New York City Merkin Hall debut recital in February 2001 featured four works from its acclaimed Commissioning Series which numbered 18 original works composed for and premiered by the OU Percussion Orchestra and Ensemble under Gipson's leadership.

In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, Gipson performed for ten years with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra as Principal Timpanist, having performed before that with the Oklahoma, Austin, and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras. In addition to OU, he taught percussion at the University of Texas, Central Missouri State University, Susquehanna University, and Penn State University before coming to TCU where he continues to teach. His more than 30 original compositions and special arrangements for marimba and percussion ensemble are published by Southern Music Company, Studio 4 Productions, Columbia Pictures Publications, and the OU Percussion Press.

Prior to assuming his administrative responsibilities at TCU, Gipson served OU as Director of the School of Music for five years, Executive Assistant to the President for two years, and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for one year. He holds undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Texas and his doctorate was earned at the Pennsylvania State University.

Works for Percussion

Monograph IV - Marimba
Prayer for Marimba Solo - Marimba
R. D. H. - Marimba; Piano

Arrangements for Percussion

Christmas Medley - Percussion 11
Deck the Halls (Randol Alan Bass) - Percussion 14
Fum, Fum, Fum! - Percussion 12
I Saw Three Ship - Percussion 12
Melisande's Death - Mallet Octet
Minor Moment - Xylophone & Mallet Trio
O Green and Shimmering Tree, Good Day! - Percussion 12
Oh Holy Night - Percussion 10
The Christmas Song - Percussion 12
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Percussion 12
Silent Night (Gipson) - Percussion 10
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Gipson) - Percussion 11