Denice Rippentrop

Denice Rippentrop believes that composing is a craft that is as much about the creative journey as the final composition itself. Rippentrop is the creator of numerous choral works, each of which she finds challenging in process, but fulfilling in the end. Composing gives her energy and purpose as she continually challenges herself to write with integrity and compassion. She writes with a style and flair that reflects her understanding of the voice and ensemble balance.

Rippentrop has received many honors throughout her extensive choral career. She was honored by the Foundation of Sacred Choral Music for her composition, People, Ponder the Cross, as 2nd place winner of the International Sacred Music Composers Competition. She was a Semi-Finalist in the American Prize Composition in the Professional Division for her Mixed Chorus piece Take Wings and Soar and a Finalist for the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for her piece God Jehovah and a Finalist for Peace, Be Still. Royal Stars was third place nationally in the American Prize Competition. Her works have been performed and broadcasted in the United States and abroad.

Rippentrop has a music education degree from the University of South Dakota and a MALS degree from Hamline University. She was presented the Best Synthesis Award upon graduation. Rippentrop continued her study of composition at the University of Minnesota, obtaining over 60 graduate credits and studying composition at Arizona State University. She has also studied composition with Libby Larsen, Dr. Dominick Argento, Dr. Paul Fetler, and Dr. Jody Rockmaker. 

William H. Mathis, Minister of Music and Fine Arts, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, Minneapolis MN.

“For our Music of Passion concert to begin Holy Week, your The Atonement was paired with a requiem. Learning and preparing your piece was a marvelous experience for the choir; hearing it was an equally powerful time for the audience.”

Howard Helvey, Composer, Arranger, Pianist, Cincinnati OH

“You have some really lovely gestures in The Sacred Seed. And the text is so compellingly beautiful….”

Dr. Jody Rockmaker, Arizona State University, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Dr. Jody Rockmaker, Associate Professor of Music, Composition and Theory, Phoenix AZ.

“Denice is a composer who writes passionate, heartfelt, compositions, usually with a religious theme. Her texts come from scripture, but she also sets her own poetry and thoughts. Denice knows how to use the chorus to great effect. Her voicings are rich, and the use of harmony compelling.”

Libby Larsen, Grammy Winning Composer

“Denice Rippentrop’s music unfailing works from the spirit outward – beginning with the soul and singing through the words.”

Jeff Harris, Conductor, The Sonoran Desert Chorale, Phoenix AZ

“The Desert Trilogy is a wonderful exploration of text and sounds in expressing ultimately — hope. The Sonoran Desert Choral was very pleased with the Trilogy — as was our audience — enjoy the colors of Light and Hope.”

Websites: www.denicerippentrop.com, www.beautifulstar.com