We are pleased to welcome two fine musicians to River Road Church as interim music leaders in September. Dr. Neal Campbell will serve as Interim Minister of Music and Ms. Leslie Dripps will serve as Interim Director of Children’s and Youth Music. Both are top-quality musicians with significant ministry experience to help lead our adult, youth, and children’s music ministry.
Neal Campbell has been the Organist of Trinity Church in Vero Beach, Florida since 2015. For 21 years prior, he served as as Organist and Choirmaster of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, in Richmond, where he collaborated many times with Carl Freeman and River Road Church, and ten years on the adjunct faculty of the University of Richmond. Neal grew up in Washington, D.C. and studied with several notable musicians there, including
Neal earned graduate and undergraduate degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Frederick Swann (the same teacher as Bob Gallagher!). He earned the D.M.A. degree in 1996 for which he wrote his dissertation on the life and works of New York composer and organist Harold Friedell. He and his choir from St. Stephen’s Church recorded an album of Friedell’s works which appeared on the Pro Organo label.
He has served the American Guild of Organists in local and national capacities including three terms on the National Council from 2000-2006 representing Region III. An active writer and researcher, his articles have been published in several national organ publications and most of them are archived on his website: www.nealfcampbell.wordpress.com.
Leslie Dripps has served as Executive & Artistic Director and Director of Upper Choir of City Singers Youth Choirs since 2007. Additionally, she provides music education consulting to schools, school districts, churches, and museums, and as a conductor has served all-area choirs, workshops, clinics, and adjudications across the state. By her own admission, Leslie will teach you to sing unless you are very, very careful.
A published songwriter with international commercial and film credits, Leslie is an active independent choral composer and also performs as a vocalist in a variety of venues, from recording studios to classical mezzo-soprano repertoire. She is a member of Richmond’s professional choral ensemble, Vox Humana, under the baton of Dr. William Bradley Roberts.
Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from James Madison University and Orff I certification at VCU and currently studies voice under Margaret Woods. She is married and is a mother to three boys.