Frank G. Rippl retired January 7 as organist and choirmaster of All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton, Wisconsin, after 461⁄2 years of service. The parish celebrated with a festal choral Eucharist, reception, and establishment of a choral scholarship for Lawrence University students to sing in the church’s choir. All Saints Church is located adjacent to the university campus.
Rippl earned the Bachelor of Music Education and Organ degree from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music where he studied organ with Miriam Clapp Duncan. He received a Master of Music degree in Orff-Schulwerk from the University of Denver. Rippl also studied at the Royal School of Church Music in England. In 1979 he co-founded the Appleton Boychoir. Rippl taught elementary vocal music in the Appleton Area School District for 33 years. In 1996 he founded the Lunchtime Organ Recital Series held each summer in the Appleton area attracting organists from all over the country. Upon retirement from school teaching, he returned to Lawrence to have additional organ study with Wolfgang Rübsam.
At his final service at All Saints, the parish choir sang five anthems. There were also several surprises: former student, Paul Weber accompanied the choir (having traveled from New Orleans to be in attendance), the Appleton Boychoir made a surprise appearance, along with a children’s choir from the parish formed especially for the occasion. Friends and relatives came from all over the country to be present for the occasion. Two All Saints former rectors were in attendance, as well.
Frank G. Rippl plays an improvisation on Sine nomine as his postlude on January 7 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton, Wisconsin
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