Georgia native Zachary Patten holds degrees in Creative Music Technologies from LaGrange College (Ga.) and in Dietetics from Florida State University. He is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Composition from New York University and has studied with Ezequiel Viñao, Mark Adamo, Ron Mazurek and Lee Johnson. Recent world premieres include his Kierkegaard for voice and string quartet in 2010 by the Scandia String Quartet in New York, and Poême for soprano and piano trio in 2009 in Paris. His Magnificat, Amen. receives its New York premiere at tonight’s performance.

Mr. Patten has held positions and internship at The Metropolitan Opera, the Atlanta Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Aspen Music Festival & School, and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. On three occasions he has traveled to Moscow as part of a recording team for the Russian National Orchestra. He began his musical studies on clarinet before turning his focus to classical guitar. Mr. Patten is currently Library Manager with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s in New York and Manager of Operations & Performance with Musica Sacra.

About Magnificat, Amen.:

After greeting her cousin Elizabeth, a pregnant Mary speaks these words from her heart. The inward reverence of my piece, I hope, exemplifies the honest struggle of this young woman set forth with an incredible task. Unsure of hope, without advice or consolation, the exemplary matron overcomes all challenges set before her, including the very real pains of labor. She offers her entire existence to the glorification of God.