U.S. Army Major Philip Tappan, a 2012 Fredonia graduate, returns to campus Thursday evening with the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.
Thursday’s free concert with the Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus is a homecoming for one member of the ensemble.
U.S. Army Major Philip Tappan, who serves as Deputy Commander of the United States Army Field Band, earned a Master of Music degree in Music Performance (Orchestral Conducting) from Fredonia in 2010 and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education in 2012.
The Field Band and Soldiers Chorus perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in King Concert Hall. While the concert is free, tickets are required. They may be obtained at the door, while supplies last. The concert is presented by Rockefeller Arts Center as part of the 2026-27 Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union Season.
The Army Field Band’s Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, the army’s premier touring ensembles, are comprised of a 60-piece concert band and a 24-voice chorus, featuring highly trained musicians from renowned institutions across the country.
While earning his master’s degree at Fredonia, Major Tappan served as graduate assistant of Orchestras and Orchestral Conducting from 2008 to 2010. He returned to SUNY Fredonia to earn his bachelor's degree in Music Education and taught music in the Dunkirk (NY) City School District.
“I really enjoyed the teaching side of my graduate assistantship,” Tappan said. “Teaching conducting to undergraduates was especially meaningful to me and remains one of the highlights of my time at Fredonia.”
He also has fond memories of performing while at Fredonia.
“The chamber orchestra performances were always exciting, especially when we performed early music in period style,” Tappan said. “Those concerts stand out as some of my favorite musical experiences at Fredonia.”
Tappan earned his U.S. Army commission in 2015 after graduating from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. His previous assignments include the Second Infantry Division Band and the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” where he served as Associate Bandmaster; the First Cavalry Division Band as Executive Officer; the U.S. Army School of Music as Commander and Director of Training; and the West Point Band at the United States Military Academy as Deputy Commander. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice, serving as officer in charge of the U.S. Forces – Afghanistan Band.
Tappan is also a composer, and his music has been performed at the Kennedy Center, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, and by professional and collegiate ensembles throughout the United States. His works span chamber, orchestral and wind ensemble repertoire.
A native of Saratoga Springs, NY, he is married to Refiye Tappan, a music director and pianist. They share their home with their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Finzi.
The Fredonia concert is sponsored by The Observer, The Post-Journal and WDOE and 96 KIX Country.
