"I left academia so that I could perform full time, which I did for 20 years with a career in the U.S. Air Force," said Phipps, a bassoonist. "I've even performed in Grand Rapids a few times."
Phipps is a 1976 graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he was a student of the great bassoonist and pedagogue Sol Schoenbach and chamber music student of John DeLancie and Mason Jones. He earned a Master of Arts degree in music history and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Prior to his Air Force career, Phipps was performing and joined the faculty of Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
While based in Washington, D.C. with the Air Force, Phipps also taught for many years as an adjunct professor at Shenandoah University in Virginia. When he retired from his military career in 2002, he began teaching there full time, and became associate dean of the Conservatory.
"The music and dance faculty at Grand Valley are pleased that Danny Phipps is joining us as chairperson," said Lee Copenhaver, who has served as interim chair. "He is a very fine musician and an analytical and very ambitious developer of programs."
His final position with the Air Force Band included work as their personnel manager, dealing with all aspects of the 200 band and staff members, from health issues to legal and financial problems of individuals.
"Professor Phipps comes to us with a very distinctive and extraordinary range of experience," said Fred Antczak, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley. "His performance career brings a global perspective to learning music. Additionally, having served as director of personnel, manager and chief personnel officer in the USAF concert band, he brings extraordinary organizational and managerial experience to chairing the department."
Phipps will have his debut recital at Grand Valley on Monday, November 6, at 8 p.m. in Cook-DeWitt Center. Phipps, on bassoon, will be accompanied by Robert Byrens on piano. A reception will follow.
