Alfred's Teach Yourself to Play Drums: Everything You Need to Know to Start Playing Now! (Book & CD)
Patrick Wilson possesses that rare combination of diverse talent and determination to succeed at any music endeavor. A Chicago-bred percussionist, he has performed at diverse venues such as Chicago's Orchestra Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, working with an entire spectrum of artists' from Bob Hope to Sir Georg Solti. Wilson took an early interest in composition and improvisation, writing chamber music at age fourteen. He was the first student to conduct his high school's symphonic band, which led to winning two conducting competitions (orchestra and wind ensemble) in college. While earning a B.A. in music education at Western Illinois University, Wilson composed half of the music for his two-and-a-half hour recital, deemed one of the most creative student performance-art events ever held at the university's music dept. Some of this music featured his NAJE (National Association of Jazz Educators) award-winning vibraphone skills. Upon graduation, he played drumset professionally in clubs around Chicago, performed in orchestras, and taught in public schools, as well as privately in his studio. In 1982, Wilson moved to Los Angeles to complete a M.M. in music performance at the University of Southern California and further his composition training. At USC, he was a Concerto Competition winner and elected to the honorary music Society of Phi Kappa Lambda. Composing and arranging for various venues filled out a demanding school schedule of performance and study, however he made time to begin writing articles for music trades. After completing graduate work, Wilson became an ASCAP member, composing for various ensembles, and occasionally for TV and feature films, while establishing his career at Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. He soon rose to Managing Editor, a position he held for eight years. While at Alfred, he has published well over a dozen works for school band. His best-selling books Teach Yourself to Play Drums and Basix Rock Drums include a recording with original play-along material. The latter title has been translated into several languages. Further advancing and diversifying an impressive career, Wilson is currently Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Alfred Music Publishing. Centering his music focus on love for the art, his current creative endeavors are more an affectionate hobbyist approach, though he selectively chooses publishing projects as time allows. Wilson is an ASCAP composer and has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society for over 35 years. He helps build the USC Thornton School of Music Alumni Association by serving as its President and has also served on the Board of Governors for the USC Alumni Association. Los Angeles has been his home for over 25 years.