Bruce W. Tippette

Bruce W. Tippette (b. 1985) is a composer, performer, and educator. He holds a Master of Music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in music composition and a Bachelor of Music in both music composition/theory and also music education from Appalachian State University. His published compositions for chorus, concert band, orchestra, handbells, and solo/small ensembles have been performed internationally, and he actively receives commissions for both choral and instrumental ensembles. In addition to his concert works, Tippette has composed original compositions for choreographers, film, and has co-composed music for a children's musical. Tippette's work Unconquered, written for orchestra, won the 2012 Mary Starling Composition Competition, and the Winston-Salem Symphony performed it four subsequent times. Additionally, he was chosen in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to compose five new works as part of an experimental collaboration with Cirque du Soleil and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Alfred Music, C. Alan Publications, Carl Fischer, Choristers Guild, Excelcia Music Publishing, Grand Mesa Music Publishers, Hope Publishing, Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard, and Wingert-Jones Publications are among his many publishers.

Tippette is the recipient of many awards, including the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship and the Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Award for his piano solo Dance of Fire. As an educator, he teaches music composition, theory, piano, and voice at the Community Music School of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and he is the Youth Music and Handbell Director at Augsburg Lutheran Church. He works as a collaborative pianist in the School of Drama at UNCSA, and is a frequently sought-after rehearsal accompanist. He resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son and daughter.

Meet the Composer

Upcoming Events

Sorry, we couldn't find any events. Please try a different search.

Recent Blogs

Gene Milford

Why should we bother with six-note band pieces?

While discussing the grade levels of band publications, a well known band music historian remarked “and then there are pieces so easy that they should never have been written.” Obviously, this is the perspective of someone who never worked with beginning instrumentalists and young ensembles. Performances are an important motivational tool and a culminating experience…
Read More

The 10 Re’s of Summer

As we all launch headfirst into the summer with Independence Day around the corner, I ask a simple question – what are you doing this summer to get yourself ready for school in the fall? Make sure to do these 10 things: Rest – Take time for yourself this summer, with some much needed mental and…
Read More

Maximizing Student Engagement and Musicianship in Today’s Music Ensembles: Five Strategies for Success!

Russell L. Robinson, Ph.D., Composer/Arranger/Author/Musician Educator In my work with music programs and music teachers in on-site professional development, I have tried to assist educators (choral and instrumental) in “maximizing student engagement and musicianship” in their ensembles and music classrooms. These two areas (Engagement and Musicianship) go hand in hand. You can’t have one without…
Read More

The (Live!) Music Goes On

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all.  In my 26 years in the music publishing industry, few things have impacted music in our schools more profoundly.  Many school ensembles have been unable to meet or have done so in small groups or virtually.  Composers and arrangers have struggled without commissions and guest appearances.  Many (myself…
Read More