Patrick Beckman

Patrick Beckman received his B.M. and M.M. in piano from the University of Illinois-Urbana. After graduation he became Artist-in-Residence at Highland College in Illinois where he later headed the music department. He has also taught at Rockford College. Beckman’s works for piano include the albums Songs for Piano (1981); Biscuit Alley (1984); Street Psalms (1985); and Spring Chants (1987). Past CDs include Earth Day Sonata (1992); Piano Pieces (1997); Tavern Tunes (2003); American Scenes Vol. 1 (2006); American Scenes Vol. II (2007) and Street Dance (2008, produced by Bob Lord).

His Homage to Franz Schubert was first performed at the New Music Chicago Festival in 1992. Choral works include the Mass in Memory of Thomas Merton (1994); Latin Trilogy (1995); Easter Mass (first performed at the Vatican in 1996); Song of the Earth (for the NEA/American Composer’s Forum Continental Harmony in 2000); Fields in Winter (2000); and Vesper (2000); all of which were first performed by the Highland Chorale in the United States and Europe. Additional works include numerous shorter pieces for vocal solo, chorus, theatre, and dance.