DENICE RIPPENTROP
AWARD WINNING COMPOSER, MUSICIAN & SONGWRITER
Composing innovative, high-quality sacred and secular choral music is the core of my professional and personal life...
VIDEO LIBRARY
FEATURED PERFORMANCE
"Yahweh!"
Composed and Arranged by Denice Rippentrop
"Yahweh!" (Psalms 66:4) The Kuhn Choir of Prague Lenka Navratilova Choirmaster
recorded at The Chapel in Korunni Street, Prague - Korunni 1440/6-, Prague, CZ
Video Produced by Clay Ashworth
NEW RELEASE
"Salvation and Righteousness Together"
Scriptural Foundation
The text of “Salvation and Righteousness” is drawn from Isaiah 45:8 and Hosea 6:3. The phrase, “Rain down, you heavens,” carries significance in both its literal and spiritual contexts.
Literal and Spiritual Meaning
Rain is described in Scripture as a blessing bestowed by God, with the earth receiving it accordingly. Similarly, from a spiritual perspective, God opens an individual's heart to salvation. When salvation is granted, righteousness accompanies it, and both manifest together. Thus, as salvation is given, righteousness and salvation are united, illustrating the physical and spiritual blessings referenced in biblical texts.
Musical Elements
The composition begins with a gentle and calming cello motive. This musical theme sets the tone for the piece and continues to be woven throughout, providing a sense of unity and tranquility.
Musical Progression and Unity
As the composition develops, the music intensifies, reflecting the union of salvation and righteousness. This gradual build in the musical narrative mirrors the spiritual convergence described in the scriptural foundations, where salvation and righteousness are intertwined. The musical elements grow in complexity and volume, symbolizing the coming together of these two themes, ultimately providing a sense of completeness and fulfillment within the piece.
Music by Denice Rippentrop
Video Produced by Clay Ashworth
℗ 2026 Denice Rippentrop
“Denice Rippentrop’s music – unfailing works from the spirit outward – beginning with the soul and singing through the words.”
Libby Larsen
Grammy Award Winning Composer
“You have some really lovely gestures in The Sacred Seed. And the text is so compellingly beautiful….”
Howard Helvey
Composer, Arranger, Pianist
“The Desert Trilogy is a wonderful exploration of text and sounds in expressing ultimately – hope. The Sonoran Desert Choral was very pleased with the Trilogy – as was our audience – enjoy the colors of Light and Hope.”
Jeff Harris, Conductor
The Sonoran Desert Chorale
“For our Music of Passion concert to begin Holy Week, your The Atonement was paired with a requiem. Learning and preparing your piece was a marvelous experience for the choir; hearing it was an equally powerful time for the audience.”
William H. Mathis
Minister of Music and Fine Arts, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, Minneapolis, MN.
“Denice is a composer who writes passionate, heartfelt, compositions, usually with a religious theme. Her texts come from scripture, but she also sets her own poetry and thoughts. Denice know how to use the chorus to great effect. Her voicings are rich, and the use of harmony compelling.”
Dr. Jody Rockmaker
Arizona State University Associate Professor of Music, Composition and Theory
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
“A recording of three new choral pieces by Denice -- each with individual character, but all filled with Denice's special spiritual touch. "Whispering Palms" captures a medieval-like plainsong idea, but with a contemporary folk-like feel. The key of D minor captures that mood! "The Cross" for larger forces builds on arpeggiations mimicked in the handbells. It crescendos with handbells, timpani, and piano to a powerful climax on "To know we are everything to God!" The rhythmic "Yahweh's Love" lets claves chatter over the energetic text -- a real delight!”
Dr. Peter Hendrickson
Choral Conductor, Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN