Mark Patterson
Composer | Conductor | Clinician
My Services
Guest Conducting
Dr. Patterson makes frequent guest conducting appearances at District and All-State choir events as well as area Choir Festivals. He engages singers with creativity, humor and teamwork, and challenges the ensemble to achieve their highest level of musicianship.
Clinics & Workshops
Dr. Patterson offers a variety of workshops for choral directors, emphasizing practical strategies for success. Recent topics have included rehearsal techniques, improving choral tone, energizing the rehearsal, conducting, advocacy, and work with volunteer voices. A Patterson session is sure to include a good dose of light-hearted humor, meaningful inspiration, and ideas that can be immediately applied in the next rehearsal.
About Mark
Dr. Mark Patterson (b.1969) is a nationally acclaimed composer, conductor and teacher.
He has worked with choral groups of all ages in public school, university, and church music settings. As a composer, Dr. Patterson enjoys crafting unique choral works with poetic texts, soaring melodies and stirring rhythms. As a conductor and teacher, he enjoys engaging singers with humor and creativity throughout the rehearsal process to deliver a powerful and meaningful performance. Mark cherishes time with his wife and two children and works hard to prioritize that above most everything else. When time allows, he enjoys playing tennis, working in the garden, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. Dr. Patterson received his PhD in Fine Arts-Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University and Master of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves as the Director of Music at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia, where he leads a comprehensive music program for adults, youth and children.
Let's Make music together
photo credit: Emory Minnick
The commission process offers a unique opportunity to have a piece of music custom-built for your group and occasion while making a lasting contribution to the choral repertoire. The process includes determining the specific needs of the ensemble, exploring a range of creative possibilities for text and music, and frequent dialogue with the composer.