Rick OrpenEmeriti
Rick Orpen is the recipient of the 2009 Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching and a member of the Music Faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College where he teaches courses in music theory, composition, percussion, jazz improvisation and guitar. He earned his B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. in Music from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Orpen is an active performer on guitar, bass guitar and percussion instruments, and performs regularly with the Jim Whitman Jazz Trio/Duo, the James McGuire Jazz Trio/Duo, Charmin Michelle with the Jim Whitman Trio, and the Gustavus Faculty Jazz Quartet.
Dr. Orpen is an accomplished composer and arranger. His Marimba Duos are published by Keyboard Percussion Publications and his CD, Live from the Chestnut Tree Cafe'©, features his jazz compositions. His performance credits include the Ordway Music Theater, Plymouth Music Series, Walker Art Center, and Owatonna Arts Center, as well as numerous regional gigs and Gustavus events including Nobel Concert and A Royal Affair. Dr. Orpen is a former president of the Minnesota Music Theory Consortium.
Education
PhD University of Minnesota
Courses Taught
| Synonym | Title | Times Taught | Terms Taught |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUS-177 | Percussion Ensemble | 66 | 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2005/SP, 2004/FA, 2004/SP, and 2003/FA |
| MUS-212 | Music Theory IV | 35 | 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/SP, 2006/SP, 2005/SP, 2004/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/SP, 2001/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP |
| MUS-260 | Percussion | 34 | 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2005/SP, 2004/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/FA, 2001/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/FA |
| MUS-211 | Music Theory III | 30 | 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2012/FA, 2011/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2006/FA, 2005/FA, 2004/FA, 2003/FA, 2002/FA, 2001/FA, 2000/FA, and 1999/FA |
| MUS-175 | Guitar Ensemble | 20 | 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2004/FA, 2004/SP, and 2003/FA |
| MUS-396 | Honors in Composition | 19 | 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/SP, 2005/SP, and 2004/SP |
| MUS-282 | Jazz Guitar | 16 | 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2005/SP, 2004/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/FA, 2001/SP, 2000/FA, 2000/SP, 1999/FA, and 1999/SP |
| MUS-360 | Percussion | 15 | 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, and 2008/FA |
| MUS-366 | Classical Guitar | 14 | 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, and 2008/FA |
| MUS-367 | Jazz Guitar | 14 | 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, and 2008/FA |
| MUS-267 | Jazz Guitar | 14 | 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, and 2008/FA |
| MUS-266 | Classical Guitar | 14 | 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, and 2008/FA |
| MUS-334 | Guitar Techniques | 12 | 2015/SP, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, 2009/SP, 2007/SP, 2005/SP, 2004/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/SP, 2001/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP |
| MUS-117 | Improvisation | 12 | 2012/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/SP, 2006/SP, 2005/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/SP, 2001/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP |
| MUS-111 | Music Theory I | 11 | 2011/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2006/FA, 2005/FA, 2004/FA, 2003/FA, 2002/FA, and 2001/FA |
| MUS-280 | Classical Guitar | 11 | 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2005/SP, 2004/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/FA, and 2000/SP |
| MUS-112 | Music Theory II | 8 | 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, and 2009/SP |
| MUS-123 | Guitar Class | 6 | 2016/SP, 2014/SP, 2012/SP, 2010/SP, 2008/SP, and 2006/SP |
| MUS-340 | Percussion Techniques | 4 | 2017/SP, 2015/SP, 2013/SP, and 2011/SP |
| MUS-338 | Brass and Percussion Techniques | 4 | 2008/FA, 2006/FA, 2004/FA, and 2002/FA |
| MUS-113 | Jazz Combo | 4 | 2004/JN, 2003/JN, 2001/JN, and 2000/JN |
| MUS-506 | Music Technology | 3 | 2001/SU, 2000/SU, and 1999/SU |
| MUS-189 | Jazz Combo | 2 | 2015/SP |
| MUS-372 | Advanced Theory and Composition | 1 | 2004/SP |
| MUS-268 | Career Exploration | 1 | 2004/JN |
| MUS-337 | Brass and Percussion Techniques for Instrumental Majors | 1 | 2002/FA |