Patrick Bertrand
Musical Director of Ascension Chorale, Patrick has an academic background in the Natural Sciences (BSc. Physics/Computer Science) as well as in Cultural and Festival Arts holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Enterprise Management. He also holds certificates in music (with honors), both practical and theory, from Trinity College of Music at grades one to three which he attained while attending primary and early secondary schools. It is this formal experience in music, though limited, that has allowed him to move undaunted into the local musical gayelle.
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While pursuing his undergraduate degree at The University of the West Indies, Patrick joined the University Choir and lead the group in his final year at UWI. He is also a founding member of Los Paranderos De UWI also joining this group in his final undergraduate year.
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His musical journey really took full flight when he joined The Lydian Singers in 1986 under then Musical Director Ms. Alma Pierre. In his first year the group presented Hiawatha's Wedding Feast and Patrick assisted in the design and construction of the set. The following year Ms. Pat Bishop took over the duties of Musical Director and as they say the rest is history. Five full length operas followed, as well as several settings of the Holy Mass sung in languages which included German, Spanish, Latin and of course English. The Lydians were champions of the National Music Festival winning the covetous title of Most Outstanding Choir on several occasions for both mixed and male voice choirs. Patrick himself twice won the championship level trophy as part of the mixed and male voice quartets. At the administrative level, he moved from Bass Section Leader to Assistant General Manager and then to General Manager of The Lydians. His experience also includes Production Management particularly in the areas of sound, stage and human resource management. Upon the passing of Ms. Bishop in 2011, Patrick assumed the position of Manager/Director of the group until a new Musical Director was appointed in 2016. Most recently he returned to the stage as a cast member of Canboulay Productions "Ah Wanna Fall"
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Patrick has now set his vision on music education and has designed an online course entitled The Music In You. He has also written a companion course book which will be published soon.