Choral Composers’ Top 10: Donald Patriquin

Donald Patriquin received his BSc in biology before attending McGill and Toronto Universities where he studied composition with István Anhalt – a former pupil of Bartók and Kodaly – and John Weinzweig. His earlier studies in environmental biology are reflected in many of Donald’s composed works such as Karenna, Reflections on Walden Pond, A Dream (from Songs of Innocence). While professor at McGill’s Faculty of Music (now the Schulich School of Music), he taught theory, musicianship (injecting a significant repertoire of Canadian/Québécois folk music), initiated the Choral and Instrumental Arranging courses, and directed choral and instrumental ensembles. He has worked considerably with community and church choirs, as composer, conductor, organist, accompanist and clinician.
A prime aim in Donald’s many world music arrangements has been to create accompaniments equal in interest to choral content. This began with Six Songs of Early Canada (1980) and was realized fully in his various J’entends le moulin arrangements, the latest (SSA) in 2014. The recipient of several competition awards, his composition Antiphon and the Child of Mary won the American Alice Parker award while his Scottish Contrasts arrangements (Island Spinning Song and Ae Fond Kiss) took first place in Choral Canada’s (ACCC) 2010 composition competition. Donald’s world music arrangements are sung worldwide; they have been featured in many major congresses, and have helped many choirs win awards. His music is published by Earthsongs, Cypress, Lorenz and A Tempo.
Donald Patriquin’s Top 10 Canadian A Tempo Original Compositions and Arrangements
The works I have chosen have been selected only from those published by A Tempo. All have been premiered, subsequently performed, and a number of them may be heard on YouTube. PDF perusal scores are freely and immediately obtainable, and all may be ordered in PDF format. Complete recordings may be freely obtained from A Tempo. The arrangements of Canadian songs run the gamut from a traditional west coast First Nations Welcome Chant, through two old Québecois songs – one Christmas, one secular – a contemporary east coast song by Nova Scotia ‘Song of the Year’ award winning song writers, and a very recent arrangement of a love song from the Canadian musical Waiting on a Dream. The original works run from three carols – one composed as a young boy, one as a father, one as a grandfather – through Reflections on Walden Pond much informed by my background in environmental science, to Make Me a Channel of Your Peace reflecting my years as organist, choir director and composer of sacred music. May you and your choirs enjoy them! Original CompositionsArrangementsA Child’s Carol (SSA): pdf (view sample pages)
Waiting on a Dream (SSAA/SSATB)
Carol of the Field Mice (SA): pdf (view sample pages)
Il est ne le divin enfant (SATB a cappella): pdf (view sample pages)
Reflections on Walden Pond (SATB)
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (SATB/SA): pdf (view sample pages)
Tsimshian Welcome Chant (SATB/SA/TTBB a cappella)
Come and See the Little Child (SA/SABar/SATB): pdf (view sample pages)
Un Canadien Errant (SSA): pdf (view sample pages)
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