Philip D. Tappan
Music
A Bit About Philip
Philip is a composer and conductor who loves collaborating on new and exciting projects. He has a passion for multi-disciplinary influence and Arts productions. He finds inspiration in listening to others, books, dance, and being with nature.
As a conductor, Philip has held engagements with the Rocky Ridge Music Center (Estes Park, CO), the West Point Band, the US Army Band "Pershing's Own," the 1st Cavalry Division Band, the US Forces Afghanistan Band, the 2nd Infantry Division Band (Uijungbou, Rep. of Korea), the West Shore Symphony Orchestra (Harrisburg, PA), the Messiah College Symphony Orchestra (Grantham, PA), Jordanian American School Band and Chorus Festival (Amman), and Capitol Opera Harrisburg (Harrisburg, PA). Philip was also choirmaster of the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, Fredonia, NY from January 2009 to 2010.
Philip’s compositions and arrangements have been performed at the Kennedy Center, the US Embassy at Kabul, Afghanistan, the Sugar Hill Salon, and numerous universities across the United States. He has led numerous calls for scores, reading sessions, and recordings of new music in the multiple posts he has held.
Philip holds a BM in music composition from Messiah College, a MM in orchestral conducting and a BM in music education from the State University of NY at Fredonia, and an Executive MBA from Quantic University.
Philip is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
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Phil is married to the collaborative pianist and music theater director, Refiye Mehmet-Tappan. Check out her website here: https://www.refiyemusic.com/
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They have a unbearably handsome ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named Finzi. He is our quality control officer.
In 2010 and 2011, Philip volunteered as a school teacher in the City of Tbilisi Public School system through the Ministry of Education, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia (the former Soviet Bloc State). Working with the national conservatory and the US Embassy in Tbilisi, he was also invited to give four lectures to Georgian youth on American Classical music in the 20th century.
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In 2008, Philip won the post of Graduate Assistant of Orchestras and Orchestral Conducting at the State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) and completed his Masters in Music (orchestral conducting performance) in 2010. At SUNY Fredonia, Philip conducted the university’s Training Orchestra, assistant conducted the Chamber and College Symphony Orchestras as well as the Hillman Opera and organised yearly composer readings. Whilst studying conducting closely with David Rudge, Philip also taught basic-undergraduate conducting, played continuo in the Chamber Orchestra and was a sought after jazz pianist in local venues. Philip has previously studied conducting and workshopped with Diane Wittry, Mark Heron, Michael Haithcock, Mallory Thompson, Mark Scatterday, Donald Hunsberger, Timothy Dixon, Murray Sidlin & Colin Metters.
Philip currently serves in the US Army Bands as an officer and conductor.
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