Bob and Mary Pool at Mary’s grand piano, which she used to play as a UO student at her sorority house, Kappa Alpha Theta. (She had it moved to Portland several years ago as there wasn’t room for it in the updated house). Mary’s holding the clarinet and alto saxophone she played in the Oregon bands from 1980 to 1984.
When Mary Sipprell Pool arrived at the University of Oregon in 1980, she couldn’t have imagined how deeply the School of Music and Dance would shape her life — or how, decades later, she and her husband Bob would help shape its future.
The couple recently committed a generous estate gift that will establish four lasting endowments: a faculty excellence fund in piano performance, a piano performance scholarship, and two Oregon Marching Band scholarships.
“We wanted our estate to support causes we really care about and to be able to nurture the future,” Mary said. “To me, personally, music matters. This quote from Plato sums it up well: ‘I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.’”
SOMD’s Impact
Mary began her college career as a piano performance major, winning the prestigious Paul Clarke Stauffer Scholarship as a freshman, an uncommon achievement at the time. While she later shifted her degree focus to general music, her time studying piano laid the groundwork for her professional success in marketing and consulting.
“The skills I learned and the discipline I gained from practicing piano two hours a day served me well in my work life,” she said. “My critical thinking and strategic planning skills were honed in classes like music analysis and music theory.”
Beyond the piano studio, Mary found a second home in four Oregon bands. She played clarinet in the Concert Band, and alto saxophone in the Green Garter Band, Oregon Basketball Band, and Oregon Marching Band. The Green Garter Band was established by Dr. Stephen J. Paul in 1983, and Mary was one of its first members, playing in winter term 1984. She was also a four-year member of the OMB and was selected as drum major in Fall 1983, her senior year. In March 1984, Mary and three other OMB members were nominated by Dr. Paul for the Olympic All-American Marching Band. All four were chosen to participate! They represented the UO in Los Angeles in the summer of 1984, sharing the experience of a lifetime with college students from around the country.
As drum major, directing the band was really fun, and I had a blast!
For Mary, Oregon Marching Band is more than a memory — it’s a lifelong community as she remains in touch with many of her OMB friends.
Music in the Family
Mary’s love for music was encouraged from an early age. Her parents were both musicians in high school and college and supported her musical interests from the start.
Her grandmother even bought a piano for her parents when she was born, hoping Mary would learn to play the instrument as she had.
Her father and fellow UO alum, Ralph C. Sipprell, played the clarinet and marched in the 1958 Rose Bowl Parade with the Oregon Marching Band.
Paying it Forward
Mary and Bob recognize the immense value of the scholarship Mary received during her time at SOMD and hope their gift will make a meaningful difference for the next generation.
“Anything we can do to help lessen the burden on students so they can achieve their dreams, we want to do it,” Bob said.
For Mary, the motivation is simple: “If it matters to your heart, think about donating. Even if it’s a minor amount, we have to help future generations. We believe it’s the right thing to do.”
To donate, contact Kelsey Isaacs, SOMD Director of Development, at kelsey3@uoregon.edu.