Patrick R. Smith - Music

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Patrick Smith (b. 1988) is a composer/guitarist/teacher based in Maryland. Although Patrick's passion for guitar performance started at an early age, his interest in composition began to emerge as an adolescent in the form of songwriting. As a guitarist in various bands throughout his young life, Patrick performed an eclectic variety of styles (mostly classic rock, pop, blues, progressive rock, etc.) and could often be found taking on the principal songwriting responsibilities, writing guitar-centric songs in the style of The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen.

As his musical interests widened, Patrick found a new passion in the composition of art music. He studied composition under Dr. Anna Rubin and Dr. Linda Dusman at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and studied classical guitar under Dr. Zane Forshee. Patrick's music has been performed at UMBC’s Livewire Festival (an annual New Music festival), Carroll Community College faculty recitals, and he has worked with ensembles such as the SONAR New Music Ensemble. Patrick explores various areas of compositional interest including timbral variety, extended instrumental techniques, imitative counterpoint, and non-functional tonality. Patrick is also a Jingle Punks artist and his music has been featured on such shows as NBC's The Voice and the STARZ documentary series The Chair.

In August of 2017, Patrick released his first full-length independent album of original material, entitled FOR THE MOST PART. The album is available through iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, CD Baby, Spotify, and a variety of other digital outlets. Find all of the pertinent purchase/streaming links in the STORE section of this website. The album is an amalgam of styles from ambient music to alternative rock.

Equally present in his musical life, Patrick has been teaching privately since his early 20s. He has established a reputation as a meticulous, careful instructor who values the individual musical personality of each student, and provides a respectful, productive atmosphere for musical growth. Patrick has been an adjunct music faculty member at Carroll Community College in Westminster, MD since January of 2010 (www.carrollcc.edu), and has maintained a busy schedule of students as a guitar instructor at Mike’s Music in Ellicott City, MD since January of 2010 (www.mikesmusicmd.com).

Patrick received his Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cm laude) in music composition from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in May of 2015 where he was also recognized with the 2015 Music Achievement Award, as well as the award for Outstanding Student in Music Composition for 2015.