Dr. Patton's bio
Dr. Gerald Patton is a native of Lebanon, TN but currently resides in Murfreesboro, TN serving as the assistant choral director at Siegel High School. Before starting at Siegel High School in the fall of 2017, Dr. Patton was the founding choral director at Blackman High School from 2000-2017. Dr. Patton earned his B. Mus. degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1998 majoring in general/vocal music education. He received his M. Mus. degree with specialization in choral conducting in 2004 from Austin Peay State University located in Clarksville, TN. In 2020 and 2021, Dr. Patton received both is Ed. D. and Ed. S. degree in educational leadership from Carson-Newman University located in Jefferson City, TN.
A twenty-year three year veteran music educator, Dr. Patton began his teaching career in 1998 as the music specialist at Walter Hill Elementary School located in Murfreesboro teaching kindergarten through fifth grade general music and chorus. In 2000 Dr. Patton accepted the position at Blackman High School where he taught chorus, general music, and music theory. While at Blackman, Dr. Patton’s choirs earned superior ratings in performance and sight-reading at the annual Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Choral Adjudication Festival. In the spring of 2017, the Blackman High School Select Chorus earned a superior rating in performance at the state level choral adjudication festival. His choirs have traveled to and performed in Washington D.C., Orlando, FL, Chicago IL, New York City, St. Louis and Branson, MO. Other noted performing engagements include the Middle TN Electric Corporation’s Annual Conference, the Tennessee Veterans Home, the Nissan Corp Veterans Day Celebration, and the High Schools that Work National Conference.
Currently, Dr. Patton is the President of the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association. In 2016, Dr. Patton was appointed as the state choral chair for the TN Music Educators Association, and he holds memberships and chairperson positions with the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association and the Tennessee Music Educators Association. In 2006, Dr. Patton founded and facilitated the annual Rutherford County High School Choral Festival. Dr. Patton also serves as the Summer Arts Academy Director for the Wilson County Civic League in Lebanon, TN. Finally, Dr. Patton is a talent judge at the Wilson County Fair and is a volunteer for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.
“Long after the toys of childhood have ended, the gift of music remains.” -Anonymous