Born in Van Buren, Arkansas, and raised across the river in Fort Smith, Mr. Patterson started learning the violin at age ten. He studied engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and earned music degrees at the University of Arkansas (BA ’85) and the University of Memphis (MM ’87). Performing credits include the Missouri Chamber Orchestra and the Tennessee Summer Symphony. Mr. Patterson taught violin and chamber music for a year at the University of Memphis, where he was second violin in the Ceruti Quartet. In addition, he has performed and taught for eight summers at the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.
The most enjoyable part of performing is "creating art in the moment with other people. I’m a collaborative player, and I find the synergy of a group of musicians with an involved audience to be exhilarating. The chemistry doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s indescribably rewarding."
Facts about Gaylon
His earliest musical memory: My mother used to sing a lot while doing household chores. I used to request “Mairsie Doats” at nap time. I have an early memory of my father singing “Aura Lee” while playing the ukulele, which seemed simultaneously wonderful and absurd. Since I was very small, I’ve liked to play records. Among my early favorites were a set of Bartok piano pieces, and old 78 called “Silly Liesl,” and, of course, “The Chipmunks.” I especially liked the latter because the LP was made of transparent red plastic instead of the usual boring black.
His most influential teacher: Sigmund Ziebel taught me more than he ever knew he did, about much more than violin playing. He was a true artist, a consummate gentleman, and a wonderfully warm presence on stage
What he's practicing these days: Stravinsky’s “L’histoire du soldat” at the moment, but there’s usually a stack of MSO folders demanding my attention
What he's reading: I just finished Thomas Wolfe’s “You Can’t Go Home Again,” one in a long series of books I’ve always meant to read, but never got around to. I’ll never finish the list, but it’s good to have goals. I’m not sure what will be next. Meanwhile, there are always back issues of the New Yorker.
