Stan Kleppinger joined the UNL School of Music in 2007 as an assistant professor of music theory. He holds a Ph.D. and a master's degree in music theory from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in music education from Drake University. Prior to his appointment to the University of Nebraska faculty, he was an assistant professor at Butler University and a visiting assistant professor at Indiana University.

Dr. Kleppinger's research interests focus on pitch-centric music of the twentieth century. He is a recipient of the Irving Lowens Article Award, which is presented annually by the Society for American Music in recognition of an article that "makes an outstanding contribution to the study of American music." The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University presented him the 2006 Dean's Dissertation Prize for his work on Aaron Copland's music of the 1940s. More recently, a grant from the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts allowed him to spend a week at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., studying Copland's compositional sketches housed there.

Dr. Kleppinger's most recent article, "A Contextually Defined Approach to Appalachian Spring," appears in the 2009 volume of Indiana Theory Review. His research has appeared previously in Indiana Theory Review and in American Music. His work was featured at the 2009 conference of the Society for Music Theory in Montreal, the 2008 conference of the Society for Music Analysis in Cardiff, Wales, and at the 2006 meeting of the Society for Music Theory in Los Angeles. In September 2008 he joined forces with the UNL Moran Woodwind Quintet at the national conference of the College Music Society in Atlanta to present analysis and performance of music by Elliott Carter. Dr. Kleppinger has also spoken about his research at events sponsored by Music Theory Midwest, the Rocky Mountain Society for Music Theory, Indiana University, the University of Iowa, Florida State University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, DePauw University, and the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Kleppinger oversees the second year of the School of Music's undergraduate sequence in music theory and aural skills. He teaches courses in musical form, Schenkerian analysis, analysis of tonal music, and analysis for performance. He also has designed classes focusing on theories of rhythm and meter. Butler's chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society named him teacher of the year for the Jordan College of Fine Arts in 2005 and again in 2007. He has served as a reader for the College Board's Advanced Placement exam in music theory since 2006.

Dr. Kleppinger has a diverse musical and professional background. He is a former member of the board of directors for the Iowa Composers' Forum, and his compositions have been performed throughout the midwest and in Europe. As a trumpeter he has performed with a wide variety of university, community, and professional bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles. He has experience as a middle- and high-school instrumental music teacher, community band director, and pit conductor.

Dr. Kleppinger has been designated a "Friend of the Arts" by Sigma Alpha Iota. He is the secretary for Music Theory Midwest, and has served as an area representative to its executive committee. He has also served as reviews editor for Indiana Theory Review and editorial assistant for Music Theory Online. He is a member of the Society for Music Theory, the Society for American Music, the College Music Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Pi Kappa Lambda.