Patrick Shepherd has called New Zealand home since moving here in 1991. He is well-known as a conductor, composer and teacher and has conducted ensembles including the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Garden City Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival.

 

Patrick is passionate about new music, music education, technology and creativity. His own musical compositions have been performed and broadcast throughout New Zealand and he has had works performed in the UK, USA, South Korea, Germany, China, Russia and Australia. He is a staunch advocate of New Zealand music and has represented the South Island on the national committee of the Composers’ Association of New Zealand (CANZ). Patrick has also been the recipient of the CANZ Trust Fund Award for excellence and potential in composition.

 

Patrick holds degrees from the universities of Canterbury (DMus), London (MMus) and Manchester (BMus (Hons)) as well as a Fellowship and Licentiate in Composition from Trinity College, London. He is also a respected adjudicator and regularly reviews concerts for The Press and Opera News.

 

Patrick is also an Honorary Antarctic Arts Fellow, having travelled to Antarctica early in 2004, and much of his current work is related to that trip. His Antarctic-inspired orchestral work, cryosphere, was selected as a finalist in the 2006 Lilburn Prize.