Leadership

Assistant Director, Kevin Barger

Kevin Barger has served as the Director of Music Ministry at Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia since 1997. At Epiphany, he has responsibility for serving as the church’s organist as well as leading adult and children’s vocal choirs, adult handbells, brass and wind/string ensembles as well as youth music activities. Kevin has been a member of the Richmond Symphony chorus for more than 25 years and, in addition to singing, has served as the assistant rehearsal pianist for several years. Kevin has served on the worship committee for the Virginia Synod (ELCA), and he has served as an instructor for the Synod’s Power in the Spirit on several occasions. He was a faculty member of the Leadership Program for Musicians for several years. Kevin recently completed his term as President of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and is currently serving as Past President of the organization. Kevin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Thiel College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Rehearsal Pianist - Daniel Stipe

Daniel Stipe, Pianist

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 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 2022 he was a featured recitalist at the convention of the Association of Anglican Musicians in Richmond.
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 is a founding member of the Piedmont Singers of Central Virginia, 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, and Julie Yu.
Daniel lives in Richmond, where he serves as accompanist for the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, as accompanist for the Richmond Symphony Chorus, 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.

Chorus Manager - Chris Pennington

Chris Pennington currently serves as the Artistic Assistant and Chorus Manager for the Richmond Symphony. A Richmond native, Chris got his start in music on Piano at age 6 and Clarinet at age 8 and is a graduate of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program. During his time in the YOP he performed with the Youth Concert Orchestra and the Youth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Amy Birdsong, Erin Freeman, and Daniel Myssyk. Upon graduating from high school, he attended James Madison University where he was a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony and the Marching Royal Dukes. While there, he attained his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He also holds a Master's Degree from the University of South Carolina in Clarinet Performance where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Westover Winds Woodwind Quintet, and a Graduate Assistant for the Carolina Band. During his time as a part of the wind ensembles at these schools, Chris has performed all over the east coast including a performance at the College Band Directors National Association Conference in Nashville, TN. Chris has also performed with the Palmetto Concert Band, Palmetto Opera, Valley Wind Ensemble, and Commonwealth Winds. In addition to his Richmond Symphony responsibilities, Chris freelances as a clarinetist and teaches private lessons, and outside of his musical endeavors, he is an avid sports fan, outdoor enthusiast, and enjoys spending his time with his wife and two cats.

Additional leadership

Barbara Batson, Carl Eng, and Lisa Fusco, Rehearsal Assistants
Lauren Crapanzano, Soprano Section Leader
Kristen Melzer, Alto Section Leader
Aaron Todd, Tenor Section Leader
Matthew Triplett, Bass Section Leader