Name: Preston Patterson Position: Viola/Violin Teacher
Education: AA in Music – Temple College, BA & MM in Viola Performance from Stephen F Austin State University
How long have you been in Temple/Belton? Where did you live before Temple/Belton? I was born in Temple, and grew up in Gatesville and Harker Heights. After graduating from college, I moved to Temple in 2018.
Musical experience: ~16 years of orchestral experience with orchestras including Temple College Orchestra, SFA Symphony Orchestra, Temple Symphony Orchestra, Longview Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, & Piney Woods Camerata. ~ 10 years of freelance performing on violin & viola. ~8 years of chamber music performance. Collaborative String Quartet in Macau & Hong Kong (2016). Side by Side Orchestra performance in Macau & Hong Kong (2017). ~10 years of private lesson teaching of students as young as 4 y/o through collegiate level students. ~5 years of conducting youth orchestras and public-school orchestras. 5 full length Solo Viola Recitals. Concerto performance with Temple College Orchestra. Currently in my 3rd year teaching Orchestra in Belton ISD.
Any awards you have received: 2012 Temple College Outstanding Orchestra Member, 2012 Temple College Outstanding Freshman Music Student, 2013 Temple College Outstanding Sophomore Music Student, 2016 SFASU School of Music Isidor Saslav-Scholarship Recipient, 2016 SFASU School of Music-Peggy Wright Cum Concilio Scholarship Recipient
Hobbies/Interests: Playing viola and studying string pedagogy and the development of viola repertoire. Also, being in nature. I enjoy drawing and painting, and art in general. I also like reading on a variety of subjects ranging from philosophy, dinosaurs, art and music history.
Projects you work on outside of the Academie: Head Orchestra Director for Belton HS, South Belton MS & Belton MS Orchestra. Performing with the Temple Symphony Orchestra.
Pets’ names: 2 cats: Lady & Opus
Favorite quote: “Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.” – Ludwig van Beethoven
Favorite musical work: Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor by J. S. Bach
Pet peeves: Redundancy & inconsiderate behavior (esp. drivers)
Favorite food: Sandwiches & Italian food Favorite color: Blue, Orange, & Grey
Favorite story from your musical experience: In 2016 & 2017, I traveled to Macau and Hong Kong to give collaborative string quartet and orchestra performances between students of Stephen F. Austin State University & Macau University. Both times were incredible life changing experiences. We formed the “Friendship Quartet” and performed Dvorak’s American Quartet, Puccini’s Crisantemi, & Mozart’s Dissonance Quartet. The members of this quartet were all from various continents of world all brought together by music.