Mr. Patriquin is a graduate of Bishop’s University (BSc. Biology/Chemistry), and of the Faculties of Music of McGill (B. Mus) and Toronto Universities (M. Mus) where he studied composition with Istvàn Anhalt and John Weinzweig respectively. He also holds an A. Mus in organ from McGill University, and an RCCO diploma in organ performance. For three decades he was on the staff of McGill's Faculty of Music, teaching theory, musicianship and arranging, and directing a variety of ensembles. He now lives in his native Eastern Townships of Quebec where he is finding more time to perform, conduct, compose, produce and publish.

His output includes many short and extended choral and instrumental works, liturgical settings, a piano concerto, works for voice and piano, music for theater and ballet and mixed media.

Mr. Patriquin is known internationally particularly for his choral and instrumental arrangements of folk music. His major choral works include World Music Suite One, commissioned by the Toronto Children's Chorus, a Caribbean Mass based on the traditions and instruments of the Caribbean, Canadian Mosaic, a suite of Canadian folk-based music reflecting the origins and variety of Canada's indigenous and immigrant populations, commissioned by the English Montreal School Board Chorale, Reflections on Walden Pond, a setting of Thoreau's writings for eight-part mixed choir, violin, cello and piano, commissioned by Pennsylvania's Cantate Carlisle, and Psalms & Canticles of Prayer, Praise and Peace for choir, organ and chamber ensemble commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for their 2003 convention. Of his 'original' works, large-scale compositions such as Earthpeace One and Two, Celebration For The Planet Earth, Requiem at Sea and Cycles, have earned him a reputation as a composer whose music addresses many concerns.

Other works for voice include Cycles, a setting for Soprano, piano and clarinet of Frank Scott's poetry dealing primarily with Canada's Northern Shield, and Louisa's Story, a musical written with librettist Sunil Mahtani, premiering in 2004

Folk music has been of continuing interest to Mr. Patriquin. As a prelude to writing the Caribbean Mass he worked closely in Grenada with Mike Agostini, Caribbean instrument builder and teacher, learning to play and write for the steel drum. His Antiphon and the Child of Mary, awarded first prize in the New York's Melodious Accord Biennial Composition Search for New Choral Music, is based on a little known Newfoundland carol while his Hangman's Reel, a ballet score commissioned by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, is based on the Québécois, American and Irish fiddle music as performed by the extraordinary Quebec fiddler Jean Carignan.Mr. Patriquin's music, both choral and otherwise, is found on a number of CDs. His choral music is published primarily by Earthsongs (USA), A Tempo, and Canadian International Music (Canada)

Further biographical information may be found in Holly Jonas: In Their Own Words. Dundurn Press

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Canadian Music Centre,
Canadian League of Composers,
Association of Canadian Choral Conductors.
SOCAN

WEB SITES, SOUND BITES & EMAIL
Biography, composition listings (currently being revised)
www.musiccentre.ca/CMC/dac_rca/eng/p_/Patriquin_Donald.html

Choral music – Earthsongs publications
www.earthsongsmus.com

Choral music – World Music Suite One
www.torontochildrenschorus.com/recordings/

Choral music – music for Christmas (CD Noel Nowell Noel)
www.music.mcgill.ca/resources/mcgillRecords/noel.html

Instrumental music- Suite Carignan (Hangman’s Reel) and Noel Nowell Noel
http://www.music.mcgill.ca/resources/mcgillRecords/eclectic_thumbnails.html