Article October 1, 2001 Issue

The sound of spirituality

Robert Ripley with contributions from Roderick Nordell

Robert Ripley was a cellist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for 40 years after having spent a number of years in the Cleveland Orchestra. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Forces Band, formed by Glenn Miller at the peak of his fame. The Sentinel asked Mr. Ripley to talk about Christian Science and music with Roderick Nordell, who was writing and editing articles on the arts and other subjects during most of those same years right across the street from the BSO, at The Christian Science Monitor.

Rod: Welcome, Bob. We'll soon get to some good experiences you had where music and religion and inspiration came together. But I have to note that, as a part-time drummer, I'm often reminded that a drummer is someone who likes to hang out with musicians. And here I am hanging out with a complete musician.

Back in the early '40s, I was in Minnesota bands playing Glenn Miller arrangements like "In the Mood" and "Tuxedo Junction." And you were in New Hampshire, dancing and listening to Glenn Miller and considering it your favorite band. And then the war came along. You had already established yourself as a cellist, and whom did you wind up playing with?

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Through a spiritual lens—a photo gallery