It is with great honor that I share the news that Daniel Stipe will join All Saints as our new Principal Organist beginning September 12. Daniel is one of the finest organists and pianists in the United States today, concertizing widely throughout the region, and playing regularly with the Richmond Symphony. Daniel is a man of few words, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. You can read his bio below.
As we hopefully emerge from the shadow of the pandemic in the coming months, we look forward to Daniel’s artistry at the keyboard – both on the piano and organ. His accompaniments are imaginative and colorful, his hymn playing is inspiring, and his technique is impeccable. You may see him conduct an ensemble from time to time or sing with the choir as well.
One of my favorite hymns is “When In Our Music God Is Glorified”, hymn #420 in The Hymnal 1982, with a vivid text by Fred Pratt Green. We are certainly in a time of “exploring new dimensions in the world of sound”, as Green writes in the hymn, both in worship right now. Nature adds its own soundtrack to our outdoor worship. And, when we can once again safely worship in our beautiful church, we’ll discover that it not only looks different – but that it sounds different. The best way that you can welcome Daniel to All Saints is by singing heartily during hymns when you are able – there is no greater gift you can give to a church musician!
Welcome, Daniel!
Director of Music
Daniel Stipe is equally at home as a solo recitalist, collaborator and arranger on both the piano and the organ.
He earned a BM in organ and piano performance from the University of North Texas in 2006, studying with Adam Wodnicki and Jesse Eschbach. He served as assistant university organist at the University of the South from 2007-2010, and he earned a MM in organ performance from Westminster Choir College in 2012 studying with Ken Cowan. He served for five years as Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA from 2013-2017.
He is a prizewinner in the William Hall Pipe Organ Competition in San Antonio, the Tulsa Crescendo Music Awards, the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition, and the AGO/Quimby Region VII Competition for Young Organists. In 2017 he was a featured recitalist at the convention of the American Guild of Organists in Richmond, and will be featured in a solo recital at the Association of Anglican Musicians convention in 2022.
As a collaborator, Daniel has worked with dozens of vocal and choral ensembles, and has an extensive knowledge of the string and wind repertory. He maintains an active concert schedule, with recent performances in Richmond, Roanoke, Dallas, Tulsa, and Princeton. He is a founding member of the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia (Helena von Rueden, director), a professional octet focusing on works by living composers. He was chosen to be one of the staff accompanists for the 2020 Menuhin International violin competition. He plays regularly with the Richmond Symphony both in the pit and on their summer recital series.
Since 2007 he has served as accompanist for the North Texas Children’s Choir festivals in Dallas, working with acclaimed clinicians like Ruth Dwyer, Herbert Washington, Julie Yu, and Rollo Dilworth. He served as an adjudicator in the 2018 RMTA Bach competition held in Richmond, and in the 2020 Bland competition.
Daniel lives with his wife, Julie, in Richmond, where he serves on the keyboard faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, as accompanist for the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale (Ryan Tibbetts, conductor), and as principal organist at All Saints Episcopal Church. He also manages the Concerts at Trinity series at Trinity Lutheran Church. Since 2017 he has tuned and serviced pianos in the Richmond area. In his spare time he enjoys road cycling, hiking, role-playing games, and good literature.
