Fine Arts Series Presents St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s Jan Gippo
3/9/2006

Jan Gippo

Note to editors: A high resolution photo is available by clicking on the above photo or upon request by contacting  klobring@mckendree.edu.

Lebanon, Ill. –- The McKendree College Fine Arts Series will feature piccolo/flutist Jan Gippo on Tuesday, March 21. Gippo, in addition to being a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 1972, is music director of "From the Garden-LIVE!" a live radio chamber music broadcast program on Classic 99 KFUO-FM.

Gippo's creative talents exceed his performance appearances. A member of the Webster Wind Quintet, he is also the Principal flutist for the Bach Society of St. Louis. He has previously performed with the St. Louis Conservatory Wind Ensemble (Director), and the Kammer Guild Orchestra. He has also performed at several National Flute Association conventions, and in 1996 at the New York convention, premiered the Concerto for piccolo and orchestra.

Gippo, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, is an author, contributing editor and editor-at-large for Flute Talk Magazine. He has taught at Webster University (St. Louis) since 1980, been on the faculty of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and presented recitals and master classes throughout the United States and abroad.

As Director of Winds at Webster University, he is a founding member of the Webster Wind Quintet and the Webster Chamber Players, and was the originator of the course, "The Practical World of Music Business." He is also the owner/publisher of Meridian Publishing.

Founder of the piccolo committee of the 5,000-plus member National Flute Association, Jan has helped raise over $120,000 to commission 15 new works for the instrument, and has served on the board of director. In addition, he has served as co-chair of the St. Louis Symphony's orchestra. He is a member of the Board of the St. Louis Cathedral Concert Series and is the managing director of the Union Avenue Opera Theater. In August of 2002, Gippo was elected Chairman of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, ICSOM. This organization represents 52 major orchestras of the United States and more than 5000 musicians.

This is the fourth of five performances in the Fine Arts Series. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Pearsons Hall, located on the McKendree College campus in Lebanon, Ill. The series provides students and the local community opportunities to experience and enjoy high quality presentations that educate, enlighten and entertain. Individual performances are $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Parking is free. McKendree students, faculty and staff are admitted free.

Cellist Kangho Lee and pianist Minyoung Lee, will close the 2005-06 McKendree College Fine Arts Series on Thursday, April 6. For more information about the series or to purchase tickets, call 618-537-6863 or 314-436-3301 ext. 6863. Tickets may be ordered online at www.mckendree.edu/FAS.

McKendree College is ranked among the top 12 percent of "Comprehensive Colleges—Bachelor’s" in the nation by U.S.News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2006. McKendree College also is the only private college in Illinois to be named one of America’s 100 Best College Buys®. Engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant community and successful outcomes also have earned McKendree College the designation "College of Distinction." The four qualities cited distinguish the undergraduate and graduate experience at McKendree and provide McKendree students an education of the highest quality. The college’s main campus is in Lebanon, Ill., just 25 miles east of St. Louis. McKendree also has campuses in Louisville and Radcliff, Ky. and offers off-campus programs at Scott Air Force Base and other sites in Illinois and Kentucky. For more information about McKendree College, visit the college’s Web site at www.mckendree.edu.

-McK-

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