Richard Gipson

The College Orchestra Directors Association has selected Richard Gipson as the Music Administrator of the Year.

Gipson, who’s been the director of TCU’s School of Music since 2002, is credited with the school’s significant growth. Under his leadership, the number of full-time faculty members has grown by 65 percent, the number of students majoring in music now totals 320, up from 179, and the TCU Symphony budget has increased 200 percent, with support for international tours. TCU’s School of Music is now looking forward to designing a new concert hall and rehearsal facilities, a planning project approved by TCU’s Board of Trustees in April 2015.

“TCU is indeed fortunate to have an individual of this caliber leading our music program,” said Anne Helmreich, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Richard’s vision, depth of expertise, range of experience and pursuit of excellence have been transformational for TCU and we are thrilled that his peers have recognized his many accomplishments in solidifying the School of Music as a world-class program.”

Before joining TCU, Gipson was a member of the faculty at the University of Oklahoma School of Music, where he developed the Percussion Department into an internationally recognized program, which performed an unprecedented four times at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. In addition to his teaching and administrative duties, Gipson performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oklahoma, Austin and Corpus Christi symphony orchestras. He earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, and his D.Ed. at Pennsylvania State University, and has produced more than 30 original compositions and special arrangements for marimba and percussion ensemble.

The CODA is the only professional organization dedicated to the advancement of college and university orchestra programs and their conductors/teachers.

TCU’s School of Music is a nationally recognized, award-winning institution where students study with outstanding faculty, interact with artists throughout the world and excel through a personalized musical experience.