Bob Lappin - Biography

<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Bob Lappin - Biography

Maestro Lappin earned his music degree from Ithaca College, then signed with MCA (Music Corporation of America), and then toured throughout North America with his trio and orchestra. Moving to the Palm Beaches in 1982, he was determined to build a world-class pops orchestra.The Palm Beach Pops' debut concert, in 1992 at the West Palm Beach Auditorium, launched what has become one of the finest orchestras in the country.

Maestro Lappin’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2006, the City of Palm Beach proclaimed January 11th Bob Lappin Day, and in May of that year he conducted and performed with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. In January of 2002, Mayor Joel T. Daves presented the Key to the city of West Palm Beach to him in recognition of all The Palm Beach Pops has contributed to the community through music and outreach programs for children. Again, in December 2003, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel presented him the Key to the City and declared December 1, 2003 as Bob Lappin Day. In February of 2002, Mayor Steve Abrams presented the Key to the City of Boca Raton to Maestro Lappin. This second honor also recognized his success in keeping the Boca Pops music library in Palm Beach County.

Bob Lappin is proud to be a Steinway Artist

In 2004, Maestro Lappin was honored by Florida Atlantic University with the 2004-2005 Cultural Leader of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership, and involvement in community outreach and education. Maestro Lappin was the first recipient of the prestigious award. At that time he also accepted the position of Florida Atlantic University’s Distinguished Artist in Residence.

In 2006, Maestro Lappin appeared again at Carnegie Hall in a star-studded New York Pops tribute to its late founder, Skitch Henderson. During this concert he conducted the orchestra and played the piano to shouts of bravo and standing ovations for his interpretation of Strings On Fire, The Man I Love and Long Ago and Far Away . Other guest artists appearing that evening included Liza Minnelli, Elaine Stritch, Kid Rock, Darlene Love and more.

Maestro Lappin has appeared as guest conductor with the Pittsburgh, Omaha, Calgary, Chattanooga and Florida Orchestras, and with the Seattle and Syracuse Symphonies, to name a few (in 1994 he and The Palm Beach Pops were invited to perform at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City's Lincoln Center -- (a first for any Florida orchestra) -- and for the North Shore Hospital at the Phipps Estate on Long Island).