Asheville – The Episcopal Church of John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock is preparing a send-off for their musical director and organist, Dewitt Tipton, who has decided to retire at the end of the summer. His musical contributions to the church and the community have been remarkable. Many have benefited from and reveled in the quality of music, the excellence of the performances, and the top-notch musicians he has brought to this area. His retirement will be a significant loss for the community, even though it is well deserved.
Tipton has been playing, teaching, and organizing musical events for many years. In 2004, he served as the accompanist for the National Youth Choral Festival at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He is the Conductor Emeritus of the Asheville Symphony Chorus, which he founded and directed in 1991. For 21 years, choral concerts were performed independently and in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, preparing over 80 major choral works. The Asheville Symphony Chorus has a long history of performing choral classics from every century. With a passion for choral art, the chorus has presented hundreds of rich musical treasures with the intent of preserving them while introducing them to new lovers of classical music. This ensemble continues to thrive today, now recovering from the Covid crisis. Kyle Ritter, current conductor of the Asheville Symphony Chorus, says: “Dewitt is one of the finest all-around musicians I know. A spectacular collaborative and solo pianist, church musician and choral director. I think that one of his greatest joys has been and continues to be bringing people together through music-making. The Asheville Symphony Chorus is one of his most significant legacies.”

For fifteen years, Tipton was the official accompanist for the North and South Carolina Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, which cultivate young opera singers. He is a retired professor from Furman University and has given many international concerts with renowned musicians, such as soprano Jacquelyn Culpepper.
A special joint end-of-summer service will be held in the Parish Hall of St. John in the Wilderness at 11:00 AM on Sunday, August 25th, to thank him for the musical blessings he has brought to the church over the past 11 years. All are invited to bring a plate of finger food to share for a special reception in his honor following the service.
In an interview in the August edition of the church’s bulletin, “The Voice,” Tipton stated: “I began piano study at the age of eight and started playing for services in my family’s church at the age of ten. During my undergraduate years at Mars Hill College, I assisted the talented Dr. Marilyn Keiser at All Souls Episcopal Church in Biltmore. In graduate school at the University of Illinois, I sang at the Chapel of St. John the Divine with Dr. Jerald Hamilton, head of the organ department there. I served as an organist at Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, Illinois, while on the music faculty of Eastern Illinois University. After returning to Asheville in 1980, I again assisted Marilyn Keiser at All Souls Church. In 1982, I took the position of Organist/Choirmaster for St. James Episcopal with Fr. Alex Viola. In 1986, I became Organist/Director of Music for First Presbyterian Church in Asheville and then at Trinity Episcopal Church in 1993.”
When asked about his proudest accomplishments during his eleven years of ministry at St. John, he responded:
– “The restoration of the organ, funded by anonymous donors, was a project costing approximately $55,000.
– The addition of paid Choral Scholars—vocal students from Furman University—whom the choir affectionately named “Furmanites!”
– The introduction of Sunday Choral Evensong for various feasts of the church and other occasions.
– The introduction of new hymns and services to enliven worship. I told the choir at my first rehearsal that ‘variety is the spice of life.’
– The establishment of the Friends of Music series, which brings in high school students, college and university students, professional musicians—both classical and popular/folk music—storytellers, and actors. It has been highly successful and very rewarding.” For instance, on Sunday, May 18th, a Chamber Music Trio featuring Kate Steinbeck on flute, Katherine Haig on cello, and DeWitt Tipton on piano was held. As a final Friends of Music event, a concert entitled “Songs My Daddy Taught Me” was held in the Parish Hall on Sunday, August 11th, featuring soprano vocalist Linda Edwards with DeWitt Tipton as accompanist.
For many years, incredible musical programs have been consistently held at St. John in the Wilderness, all free and open to the public. Additionally, Tipton has been involved with weekly choral practices and playing for Sunday services. It is with great sadness that he is retiring from St. John in the Wilderness Church. Perhaps after some rest, he will decide it is time to return—even if part-time—to share more of his musical excellence and expertise with the community.