UMass Boston

Theory and composition

PhD, Harvard University

David Patterson studied with Leon Kirchner at Harvard and in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and Olivier Messiaen. His enthusiasm for teaching manifests itself in curriculum development during his 15-year chairmanship, an innovative teaching style, and in his annotated collection, 20 Little Piano Pieces From Around the World (G. Schirmer). He is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award. He is executive secretary and trustee of the Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund.

Isle of Hope, his setting of the well-known text by Emma Lazarus, commissioned for the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Awards Interfaith Prayer Service, opened the 2002 celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City. Toshiuki Shimada and the Portland Symphony Orchestra gave the U.S. premiere of Strayhorn in Harlem (VMM label) in its centennial tribute to Duke Ellington. Eine Kleine Purple Car (Falls House Press), commissioned for the Pappousakis Flute Competition and other works are often described as “effective and affecting” (The Boston Globe), “altogether fetching” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “lovely, lyrical and poignant” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch.)

Classes:

Theory, composition and introductory courses