(INDIANAPOLIS) – It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the death of Maestro Raymond Leppard, one of the most respected international conductors of our time and artist-in-residence at the University of Indianapolis.
“Raymond Leppard was a kind and generous artist who used his remarkable talent to bring world-class musical experiences to students, faculty and staff, as well as to communities throughout the Indianapolis region,” said Robert L. Manuel, University of Indianapolis president. “Through his legacy, the University of Indianapolis celebrates the shared values of artistic exploration, professional growth and a dedication to creating unique learning environments that prepare students for a lifetime of success.”
“The University of Indianapolis Department of Music was privileged to collaborate with Maestro Leppard for a quarter-century, and generations of students—as well as faculty and the University community—were touched and inspired through the generosity of Maestro Leppard’s contributions. He will be remembered with great fondness and we mourn his passing with the wider musical community,” said Elisabeth Honn Hoegberg, associate professor and chair of the University of Indianapolis Department of Music.
Maestro Leppard spent 25 seasons as the University of Indianapolis artist-in-residence and received an honorary degree from the University in 1991. During his career at the University of Indianapolis, he conducted ensembles and held performances that showcased his talents as a pianist, harpsichordist, lecturer, composer, and arranger. In 2017, the University celebrated Maestro Leppard’s 90th birthday with a special on-campus performance before a standing-room-only audience.
The Conductor Laureate of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Leppard has appeared with nearly all the world’s leading orchestras in more than 60 years on the podium, conducting more than 170 recordings and earning five Grammy awards, among many other accomplishments.
