Biography
Saxophonist, educator and composer Patrick McCulley currently teaches saxophone lessons and performs in Portland, Oregon. After completing his Bachelors of Arts in Music at the University of Oregon where he studied under Dr. Idit Shner, he completed his Masters of Music at the University of Idaho while studying with Dr. Vanessa Sielert. In addition to maintaining an active teaching studio, McCulley performs around Portland as one half of the McCulley-Falconer Duo, as a solo saxophonist, and in a variety of chamber, new music and jazz ensembles.
A recent McCulley-Falconer Duo performance of Jay Schwartz’ “Music for Saxophone and Piano” drew praise from Oregon Arts Watch for its “entrancing blend and phrasing.” With pianist Mitchell Falconer, McCulley maintains a commitment to an adventurous repertoire spanning the music of baroque, 20th century post-impressionist and Japanese modernist composers. As a jazz saxophonist, McCulley had the privilege of performing at the 2012 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival as a member of the University of Idaho’s top Jazz Ensemble with legendary saxophonists/clarinetists Paquito D’Rivera and Anat Cohen. Also in 2012 McCulley was a semi-finalist as a member of the University of Idaho Silver Saxophone Quartet in the North American Saxophone Alliance’s quartet competition. Inspired by the experimental extended techniques of Colin Stetson, McCulley also composes for solo alto and tenor saxophone. Brett Campbell said a recent performance of McCulley’s composition “Chaining the Leviathan” for solo alto saxophone “showed compositional promise as well as stupendous solo chops.”
McCulley has an ongoing interest in exposing young people to saxophone music, and teaches privately in the Portland area. His community work includes volunteer performances for various Portland schools including Jason Lee Elementary School, Church of the Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Markum Elementary School, Cleveland High School, and Whitman Elementary School. McCulley frequently performs and supports local music nonprofits, including Piano Push Play, Muse:forward and the chamber jams of Classical Revolution PDX, an organization started to increase the accessibility of great classical music in Portland. Venues in Portland that Patrick has performed at include the Waypost, the Star Theatre, Portland Piano Company, Vie de Boheme, the Holocene, and Littman White Galleries.
A recent McCulley-Falconer Duo performance of Jay Schwartz’ “Music for Saxophone and Piano” drew praise from Oregon Arts Watch for its “entrancing blend and phrasing.” With pianist Mitchell Falconer, McCulley maintains a commitment to an adventurous repertoire spanning the music of baroque, 20th century post-impressionist and Japanese modernist composers. As a jazz saxophonist, McCulley had the privilege of performing at the 2012 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival as a member of the University of Idaho’s top Jazz Ensemble with legendary saxophonists/clarinetists Paquito D’Rivera and Anat Cohen. Also in 2012 McCulley was a semi-finalist as a member of the University of Idaho Silver Saxophone Quartet in the North American Saxophone Alliance’s quartet competition. Inspired by the experimental extended techniques of Colin Stetson, McCulley also composes for solo alto and tenor saxophone. Brett Campbell said a recent performance of McCulley’s composition “Chaining the Leviathan” for solo alto saxophone “showed compositional promise as well as stupendous solo chops.”
McCulley has an ongoing interest in exposing young people to saxophone music, and teaches privately in the Portland area. His community work includes volunteer performances for various Portland schools including Jason Lee Elementary School, Church of the Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Markum Elementary School, Cleveland High School, and Whitman Elementary School. McCulley frequently performs and supports local music nonprofits, including Piano Push Play, Muse:forward and the chamber jams of Classical Revolution PDX, an organization started to increase the accessibility of great classical music in Portland. Venues in Portland that Patrick has performed at include the Waypost, the Star Theatre, Portland Piano Company, Vie de Boheme, the Holocene, and Littman White Galleries.
