Reviews

“Donald Patriquin is a fervent champion and great ambassador for Canada’s rich treasury of folksongs. Imaginative, full of musical energy, yet remaining true to the original folksong, choirs love to sing his arrangements, pianists love to play them and audiences love to hear them. Donald is a generous man, willing to share thoughts, ideas, and methods regarding his remarkable craftsmanship. But what steadily shines throughout his work and life is his staunch and solid belief in the value of Canada’s great folk music.  Thank you, Donald!”

Diane Loomer, Co-Conductor, Elektra Women's Choir, Vancouver

“Donald Patriquin's arrangements of folk songs are ingenious!  Full of wit and charm, excellent vocal writing, and fantastic piano parts.  I program his music as often as I can!”

Dr. Brady R. Allred, The University of Utah

"Donald Patriquin promotes cross cultural understanding through his music. Its excitement is infectious and leaves us feeling good about those far away and ourselves.”

Michael Cooke, Artistic Director, Quintessence Choir, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“For many years we have enjoyed performing Donald Patriquin’s music. Such sophisticated arranging and composing. The finest accompanists rise to the challenge of his skilled writing and the singers themselves cant help but immerse themselves in the energy and beauty of his works.

Thank you, Donald!”

Julie Christiansen OAM, Artistic Director, Brisbane Biralee Voices, Brisbane, Australia

“Donald Patriquin's arrangements of Canadian folk songs give both our singers and audiences a burst of energy. We've included at least one of these pieces on most of our major tours, to rave reviews.”

Morna Edmundson, Co-Conductor, Elektra Women's Choir, Vancouver

"Donald Patriquin is one of Canada's most pre-eminent composers, whose music I have enjoyed performing for many years. His compositions are energetic, accessible, well crafted and my choirs love them. He has a wonderful way of taking quintessentially Canadian folk songs and making them art music for everybody to enjoy - the singers and the audience alike."

Elise Bradley, Artistic Director of the Toronto Children's Chorus

"Donald Patriquin's compositions and arrangements are well-crafted, inspiring, and energetic. I have programmed several of his original and arranged choral works, and each time I find working on his pieces rewarding, as they engage the singers to be better musicians. It is great to know that the majority of his works are now available through Earthsongs and A Tempo."

Robert P.D. Duff, Dartmouth Chamber Singers

"Si l'eclectisme ne vous fait pas peur, ce disque de la musique de Donald Patriquin vous plaira surement."

Dominique Olivier (Voir Montréal)

"I find myself enriched by your music and am looking seriously at a few pieces for next year. So...if you have any other 'gems' you have recently written/arranged, please send them. Again, thank you for your gift of song. You enriched the lives of the students who sang and the audience who listened."

Denise R. Eaton, Choral Director, Spring High School, Texas

“I was privileged to accompany the PSBGM Chorale to the Netherlands…The children sang ‘Un Canadien Errant’ everywhere they went. It never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Every other arrangement of that lovely song sounds flat, lacking your rich accompaniment and complex key changes. I also admire your ‘Titanic Requiem’ which I heard twice on the CBC and again at the Pollack Hall tribute a few years ago.”

Elaine Bander, ‘Choir Mother’, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

"Congratulations! The Composition Search Committee has selected your composition 'Antiphon and The Child of Mary' as one of the group of four pieces to be performed in New York City by the Musicians of Melodious Accord. It is just the kind of work we were seeking: a well-chosen text, lovingly set in music that is grateful to sing and communicative to the audience...our heartfelt thanks for writing this beautiful work."

"What a pleasure it has been to meet you and to sing your music. May it happen often in the future!"    

Alice Parker, Composer, Conductor, USA

"I've already begun selecting music for my Christmas program and one the first pieces to come to mind was your 'Child's Carol' - as haunting as ever!"

Max Ferguson, CBC

"I loved the final version of 'Hangman's Reel/Suite Carignan'...I think they'll be dancing it for quite a long time to come!"

Brian Macdonald, Choreographer, Artistic Director, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens

"In carrying out his commission, Donald Patriquin demonstrated the highest level of professionalism. Not only did he produce on time the various pieces comprising ‘Earthpeace Two’, but he did it through a process of consultation with the organizers with respect to the technical and esthetic problems about which we needed to be aware. Mr. Patriquin was always a pleasure to work with, was always consultative and - most importantly - always produced work of the highest quality...(His) ‘Earthpeace Two’ was a highlight...and made all of us feel elated and more committed to our work in disarmament."

Paul Cappon, MD., Ph.D., President, 8th World Congress, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

“Donald Patriquin's music is a wonderful example of quality literature accessible to all ages -- especially young people.  My students were always excited to tackle the fun challenges of his work.  Thank you for creating such sophisticated choral arrangements for these culturally cherished folk songs.”

Tom Lerew , Choral Director, Gowanda High School, Gowanda, NY  USA

"Donald Patriquin's arrangements of folksongs, particularly FrenchCanadian folksongs, are my favorite. He understands not only the texts of the song but also the subtext and the real emotion in this music. Donald is a champion of word painting in his arrangements.  The vocal and instrumental writing always reflects the text and the overall atmosphere of every line and every verse. It is always a joy for singer, conductor and audience when we perform his music. If you want to sing French Canadian folksongs, you will be hardpressed to find better arrangements."

Robert Filion, Conductor

Photograph by David Anderson