Biography
Philip Pletcher
ProfessionalMembership
Philip W. Pletcher, pianist, has been active in music since age four and has played throughout the United States and Canada. Phil is active as a soloist and collaborative musician and is a Production Pianist for Opera Grand Rapids. He serves as Administrative Director and Pianist for the Grand Rapids Musicians’ League Youth Choirs, maintains a private teaching studio, acts as a staff accompanist at Grand Valley State University and adjudicates for regional competitions. He performs with William and Hollis Bokhout in the piano/vocal trio colla voce, is the Director of Music at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ and accompanies the Schubert Male Chorus and the West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus. He sings bass in the male quartet Half ‘n Half and has appeared in various theatre productions. Formerly, he was on the accompanying staff at Calvin College and for seven years held the position of Music Director at St. Cecilia Music Society, where he administered all of the performance and educational programs and produced the popular annual Eight Piano Concert. His arrangements for multiple pianos have been performed across the U.S. Phil hosted the weekly radio show “Guest Conductor” for four years on WFGR 98.7 FM, the former Grand Rapids classical station, and is a past president of the Grand Rapids Piano Teachers’ Forum. Mr. Pletcher received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Bethel College in consortium with Indiana University. His graduate study was at Michigan State University under Ralph Votapek. He serves on the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Bach Festival and on the Advisory Council for the Calvin College Artist Series. He is also the President of the Michigan Music Association.