Nelson Patrick

?Dr Pat?, beloved Texas Music Educator, a resident of Austin for 50 years, age 92, died Saturday, July 31, 2004. Dr. Pat was born in Marlin, Texas on April 19, 1912. His father died when he was 6, so he spent many of his early years helping to support his family. His undergraduate studies took place at Texas A&I University in Kingsville and Texas Technological University in Lubbock, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Education in 1940. He undertook graduate studies in several institutions, including the American University, Oxford University, Texas Tech, Columbia University, and The University of Texas-Austin. He earned a Masters in Education, with a minor in Music Education, from Texas Tech in 1947, and a Doctorate in Education from UT-Austin in 1954. Dr Patrick?s teaching career began in Premont, TX where he taught vocal and elementary school from 1930 to 1935. He taught band and choir in Donna, TX from 1935 to 1942. After a short detour in the US Army where he attained the rank of Captain in the Antitank Company, 410th Infantry, 1st Platoon in WWII in France, Germany, Austria, and Italy serving from 1942 to 1946, Dr Pat reestablished his music education passion as the band director in San Benito, TX from 1946 to 1952. He then moved to Austin, TX to become the band and orchestra director at Austin High School from 1954 to 1960. During the summers of 1936 to 1952 while finishing his degree work, he worked for Texas Tech University. Dr Patrick started working for the University of Texas at Austin in 1960. He taught his last semester in the spring of 2002. During his 42 year career at UT-Austin in the College of Fine Arts, Dr Pat was the Assistant Dean from 1968 to 1976, the Associate Dean from 1976 to 1977, and the Acting Dean from 1977 to 1978. Dr. Patrick's teaching specialties at UT-Austin ranged from the physics of acoustics, orchestration and band arranging, and designs for instruction to the history of the American Concert Band. From 1964 to 1971, Dr. Patrick organized and directed the UT Music Department's first Longhorn Music Camps, which continue today. While touching the lives of the thousands of music students he personally educated, Dr. Pat was the State Director of Music for the University Interscholastic League UIL from 1961 to 1984. As director he created, organized, and brought to life the Texas State Solo Ensemble Contest, the Texas State Marching Band Contest, the Texas State Wind Ensemble Contest, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He continued his involvement in the UIL as a Consultant to the State Director of Music from 1984 to 2004. He was First Chairman, Music Section of the National Federation of State High School Association from 1979 to 1984. He served in various capacities in the Texas Music Educators Association, as Band Chairman, Vice-President from 1956 to 1957, as President from 1957 to 1958, and on the Board of Directors from 1961 to 1984. He was also a consultant to various Texas state legislative committees, groups, and individuals on music matters. Dr Pat belonged to many professional organizations, Phi Beta Mu, president, Kappa Kappa Psi, American Acoustical Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfoniana, Music Educators National Conference, Texas Music Educators Conference, and American Association Composers and Conductors. His honors include the National Federation Association Award, Commendation resolution from joint session of Texas Legislature, University Interscholastic League 75 Anniversary Award, 20th Year Adjudication Award, Enid, Oklahoma, Orpheus Award, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Who's Who in Music, and Who's Who in Education. He published hundreds of articles in of the Prescribed Music List, Music Educators Journal, Southwestern Musician combined with the Texas Music Educator, The Leaguer, National Federation Journal, and reprints in several other states' periodicals. Nelson Patrick was survived by one sister, Lola Mae Campbell of San Antonio and 15 nieces and nephews. Military services will immediately follow the cemetery committal service. Memorials may be sent to either of two scholarship funds setup in Dr Pat?s name. Please contact Richard Floyd, the UIL State Director of Music, PO Box 8028, Austin TX 78713, 512 471-5883, uilmusic@uts.cc.utexas.edu or University of Texas at Austin, Glen Chandler, Director, School of Music, 1 University Station, Stop E3100, Austin TX 78712, 512 471-3157, bgchandler@mail.utexas.edu notes: For Dr. Nelson G. Patrick scholarship fund. We will all miss him greatly.