Mr. Phipps completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Iowa (1982) and his Masters of Music Education degree through Adams State University (2015) in Alamosa, CO. 

Specific units taught each year include Native American Song, Dance and Drumming, Folk Dancing, Music Theory, Music Performance, Music Appreciation, Xylophone, Ukulele, Band and Choir.

Mr. Phipps teaches 28 classes of General Music, 5 for most grade levels at Meridian Ranch Elementary. 

In addition to General Music, I offer 5th grade band. The first 1/2 of the year, the band meets in sectionals, by instrument. The day of the week is determined by which instrument your student plays. The 2023-2024 plan is to have Flutes on Tuesdays, Clarinets and Saxophones on Wednesdays, Brass on Thursdays and Percussion on Fridays.  2 Bass and 1 Piano player meet after school. During the second 1/2 of the school year, the band will meet as a large group each Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The annual cost to belong to the school band is $100 and includes student books, music, band shirts, and instruction. Students must have/rent their own instrument, which can be rented from Graner Music, or simply purchased. Graner Music will join us here at Meridian Ranch for an Instrument selection night on Monday, August 7th. MRES 5th Grade Band will begin on Tuesday, August 15th this year.

The MRES Choir meets each Monday morning beginning August 14th at 7:30 AM. Choir is limited to students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. This year our choir will perform the Veterans Day program in November, and we will go Christmas Caroling in December. The second 1/2 of the year we hold a Spring concert, and the District 49 Elementary Music Festival. The cost to join the MRES Choir for the entire year is $50 and includes everything. All music, choir shirts, instruction, Christmas party, bus fees (for Festival) and anything else that might come up.