Tom Lipps

Hello, and welcome to my webpage! I am a Junior, Music Education major from a little town by Lake Erie called Concord. (You've heard of it? Didn't think so...) I graduated from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in Chardon, Ohio (an even smaller town... we literally had cows on our school property), where I was actively involved as student director of the jazz ensemble, an officer of the drama and debate clubs, member of several service clubs, and participated in almost every production/ceremony/event caling for music. As the pianist for Jazz Impact, a northeast Ohio all-star high school jazz ensemble, I won the Woody Herman award for most valuable player and got the chance to perform live with Grammy Award-Winning jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano. I have been initiated as a permanent member of the International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, and just recently at UD, the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Here in Dayton I still keep myself pretty busy. I am fortunate enough to have two highly professional piano teachers. Classically I work with Dr. Eric Street, while I study jazz piano performance with Mr. Eric Zadan. I also study voice with Dr. Linda Snyder. I currently serve as the Fraternity Education Officer of the Phi Omega chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia . ( Check this page out... it's been ranked #1 in the country!) In the fall, I began my stint as a student tutor for Dr. Magnuson's music theory classes. As a music-ed major I am also a member of the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association. In addition to my music-ed degree, I will also be earning my Church Music Certification. I'm actively involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and Campus Ministry, and I currently direct the music for the 10 AM Mass. I've also been on retreat team, where I... drum roll, please... led the music. (Are you sensing a pattern yet? What can I say? Music is my life --- Everything else is just details.)

As far as performance ensembles are concerned, I am a member of University Chorale where I sing bass and help out accompanying whenever Jen Shoup needs and extra pair of hands (or when Dr. Jones decides to do a lounge act... Merry Christmas...). I've also performed with the Dayton Jazz Ensemble and played keyboards for the Ebony Heritage Singers. The vast majority of my performances, however, come in the form of gigs in and around Dayton. (I'm a jazz pianist for cryin' out loud! How else am I supposed to earn a living?) I can be seen solo, but more often than not I'll be playing with the jazz combo affectionately referred to as "The Pretty Good Band ." (May I direct your attention to the bottom of the page and give the cut from my CD a listen!) I've also had the opportunity to play with the Johnny Mack Big Band. And speaking of them, check the UD Swing Club page for upcoming dances. Trust me, IT'S A LOT OF FUN!!!

I would like to take a minute to invite you to my Junior Recital. (It's the least I can do for someone who just took the time to read through all this!) I will be splitting it with fellow music major and my close friend, Alex Black (horn). It will take place on Sunday, March 8, 1998 in Sears Recital Hall, at 7:00 PM. Don't forget to check the music department calendar for other concerts and recitals!

Listen to a section of Tom Lipps' performance of part of the first movement of Beethoven's "Pathetique" sonata (38 sec., 299 K .au) on January 17, 1997 in Sears Recital Hall.

Listen to Tom Lipps, accompanied by Jim Saxa, Ben Freelove and Mark Lucas, perform a section of the jazz standard Fools Rush In (38 sec., 299 K .au), recorded on September 25, 1996 at the Zadan Piano and Jazz Improvisation Studio.