Life and Teaching of Flutist Albert Tipton

This treatise examines the life and teaching of the eminent American flutist Albert Tipton. He studied with William Kincaid at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, was solo flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony, and was also a founding member of the Aspen Music Festival where he performed and taught for forty years. Tipton traveled throughout North and South America under the auspices of Columbia Artist Management with his wife, pianist Mary Norris, in duos, trios, and a chamber orchestra. In addition he was an accomplished conductor and composer, writing two pieces for string ensemble and one for flute and string orchestra. He later joined the faculties of the Florida State University in 1968 and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1975. For a number of years Tipton wrote and edited a column in The School Musician Director and Teacher; these writings among others are reviewed in Chapter 3. There he discussed topics such as difference tones, articulation, group lessons, and musical style, to name a few. The subsequent chapter presents quotations from questionnaires that were mailed to former Tipton students. Three aspects of their experience with him were addressed in the survey: Tipton's teaching philosophy, his influence on their lives, and memorable anecdotes. The result is a synopsis of information for generations of flutists to study the life and accomplishments of this most influential performer and teacher.