Patrick J. Brill

Dr. Patrick J. Brill is an American composer born and raised in Minneapolis/St. Paul MN. He has composed numerous classical compositions including a cappella sacred vocal works, instrumental chamber compositions, symphonic orchestral pieces, and compositions for both choir and orchestra. 

Dr. Brill’s music instruction began with private classical guitar lessons at the age of 9. Later, he switched to the piano as part of his growing interest in composing original classical music. At the age of 18, he entered the College of St. Thomas (now the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul MN) to study classical piano. From 1982 to 1984 he studied music theory/composition, music history, and piano at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1984 with a B.A. in music. He later attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in 1991 with an M.M. in music history. In 1991 he matriculated at the University of Kansas, where he studied doctoral-level historical musicology and music theory, conducted the Collegium Musicum, and subsequently, in 1995, graduated with a Ph.D. in historical musicology, specializing in medieval and renaissance music. 

Dr. Brill has had his work premiered in numerous locations. In 2010, Dr. Brill’s large-scale orchestral work Introduction and Fugue in D Minor was premiered by the Rollins College Symphony at Rollins College in Winter Park FL, conducted by John V. Sinclair; his Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano was premiered at the Brevard Community College by professor and violinist Amy Jevitt. In 2015, his Serenade No. 1 for Violin, with violinist David Brill, was premiered by the New Score Chamber Orchestra at the Apollo Theater in Orlando FL; and in 2016, the New Score Chamber Orchestra also premiered his Danse Macabre, a four-part fugue for string orchestra in Orlando FL. In 2017, Dr. Brill conducted a classical chamber concert that included a premiere of his “Processional of the Princess” from his Royal Coronation Overture, as well as another performance of his Danse Macabre at Eastern Florida State College in Titusville FL. 

In the fall of 2009, Dr. Brill was commissioned by the Florida Young Artists Orchestra of Orlando to compose a large-scale orchestral work. This commission resulted in the Grand Overture, completed in 2010. In 2010, he was commissioned by John V. Sinclair of the Bach Festival Orchestra and Choir of Winter Park to compose Christmas music for the 2011 season. His composition/arrangement entitled Veni, Veni, Emmanuel was premiered on December 10th and 11th, 2011 as part of the Bach Festival’s A Classic Christmas: Seasonal Music. It was subsequently performed at the same Bach Festival venue in December of 2012, and again in December of 2013. A recording of Veni, Veni, Emmanuel is also featured on the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra recording All is Bright: A Choral Christmas. 

Dr. Brill composes music predicated on a return to Western classical aesthetic principles. These are the same principles that guided composers, both great and small, from the renaissance through the romantic music style periods and he is continuing this tradition into the 21st century.