--- title: Welcome to the Prelude Music Planner Blog! | Mark Patterson description: "Dr. Mark Patterson is a nationally acclaimed composer, conductor and teacher. He is the Director of Music at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia, where he leads a comprehensive music program for adults, youth and children. Mark received his PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University and Master of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.\n\nHe is frequently invited to conduct honor choirs and choral festivals across the United States and is often asked to lead workshops for choral directors. Dr. Patterson‚Äôs compositions comprise a rich variety of styles for the sanctuary and the concert hall. Currently he has over 200 choral works in print as well as a solo piano collection, various musicals and choral compilations, and several volumes of vocal solos. Mark has been a consistent winner of the ASCAP Award in Composition for over ten years." --- [![AF-prelude-logo](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/AF_Prelude_Blog/AF-prelude-logo.png?width=181&height=52&name=AF-prelude-logo.png "AF-prelude-logo")](http://www.preludemusicplanner.org/) - [LEARN MORE](https://preludemusicplanner.org/) - [BLOG](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org) - [SIGN IN](https://members.preludemusicplanner.org/) # [Prelude Music Blog](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org) # Prelude Blog ## Mark Patterson Dr. Mark Patterson is a nationally acclaimed composer, conductor and teacher. He is the Director of Music at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia, where he leads a comprehensive music program for adults, youth and children. Mark received his PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University and Master of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He is frequently invited to conduct honor choirs and choral festivals across the United States and is often asked to lead workshops for choral directors. Dr. Patterson‚Äôs compositions comprise a rich variety of styles for the sanctuary and the concert hall. Currently he has over 200 choral works in print as well as a solo piano collection, various musicals and choral compilations, and several volumes of vocal solos. Mark has been a consistent winner of the ASCAP Award in Composition for over ten years. ### Recent Posts ## [Sending Forth: Tips for a Successful Youth Choir Tour, Part 2](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-2) Posted on Apr 22, 2013 4:01:23 PM by [Mark Patterson](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/mark-patterson) in [Choral Techniques and Repertoire](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/choral-techniques-and-repertoire), in [review-prelude](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/review-prelude) This is the second half of a two-part series on planning a successful Youth Choir Tour. This segment addresses places to sing and serve, daily details and how to make the experience meaningful for all involved. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-2) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-2#comments-listing) ## [[Sending Forth: Tips for a Successful Youth Choir Tour, Part 1](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-2#comments-listing) Posted on Apr 15, 2013 7:54:11 AM by [Mark Patterson](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/mark-patterson) in [Choral Techniques and Repertoire](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/choral-techniques-and-repertoire), in [review-prelude](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/review-prelude) If you are fortunate enough to lead a youth choir, then the words “youth choir tour” may have been uttered to you at some point. These words may have come from a hopeful youth, an overly anxious parent, or that pesky, subliminal voice that urges each of us to keep trying new things to enhance and develop our music programs. These words may fill your heart with fond memories, or they might incite deep fear: “Is our group really ready to go on the road?” you may ask. In this two-part series, I will share some insights into planning a successful youth choir tour. [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-1) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-1#comments-listing) ## [[The Renaissance We Need](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2011/09/the-renaissance-we-need)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2013/04/sending-forth-tips-for-a-successful-youth-choir-tour-part-1#comments-listing) Posted on Sep 13, 2011 10:54:26 AM by [Mark Patterson](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/author/mark-patterson) in [Choral Techniques and Repertoire](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/choral-techniques-and-repertoire) [![](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Childrens-Choir-150x150.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=Childrens-Choir-150x150.jpg)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Childrens-Choir.jpg)Church music today is in need of a renaissance--a rebirth, a renewal, a fresh beginning. On too many Sunday mornings congregations hear our choirs *survive* the anthem of the day. While we should be beautifully expressing a worshipful text and leading God’s people to prayer, we’re busy praying that we simply get through the piece! [Read More > >](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2011/09/the-renaissance-we-need) [0 Comments](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/2011/09/the-renaissance-we-need#comments-listing) [All posts](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [review-prelude (87)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/review-prelude) - [Choral Techniques and Repertoire (56)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/choral-techniques-and-repertoire) - [Music Ministry (55)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music-ministry) - [Planning (55)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/planning) - [Assembly Song (37)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/assembly-song) - [Potpourri (32)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/potpourri) - [Instruments and Ensembles (19)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/instruments-and-ensembles) - [Hymnody (14)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hymnody) - [music (13)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/music) - [Uncategorized (10)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/uncategorized) - [COVID-19 (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/covid-19) - [Composing and arranging (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/composing-and-arranging) - [Coronavirus (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/coronavirus) - [News (5)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/news) - [Christmas (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/christmas) - [Easter (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/easter) - [Instruments (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/instruments) - [Social distancing (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/social-distancing) - [worship (3)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/worship) - [Advent (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/advent) - [All Creation Sings (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/all-creation-sings) - [Children Ministry (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/children-ministry) - [Lent (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/lent) - [Summer (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/summer) - [gratitude (2)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/gratitude) - [Creative Arts Camp (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/creative-arts-camp) - [Cultural (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/cultural) - [ELW (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/elw) - [Evangelical Lutheran Worship (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/evangelical-lutheran-worship) - [Holidays (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/holidays) - [Hope (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hope) - [Hospitality (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/hospitality) - [Pentecost (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/pentecost) - [Psalms (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/psalms) - [Youth Ministry (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/youth-ministry) - [children (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/children) - [culture (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/culture) - [devotions (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/devotions) - [john the baptist (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/john-the-baptist) - [joy (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/joy) - [leadership (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/leadership) - [marriage (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/marriage) - [race (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/race) - [relationship (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/relationship) - [self-care (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/self-care) - [spiritual (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/spiritual) - [time (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/time) - [trust (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/trust) - [wedding (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/wedding) - [weddings (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/weddings) - [writing (1)](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/tag/writing) see all ### About Prelude Music Planner [Prelude Music Planner](http://www.preludemusicplanner.org) is the web-based tool that provides a wealth of music, thoughtful commentary, and time-saving tools for the church musician. - **Explore a wealth of music**. Search our database of congregational, choral, and instrumental church music by lectionary day, voicing, difficulty level, tune name, and more. - **Get the music you need, when you need it.** Preview the entire piece of music from beginning to end, and then download the parts you need. Subscribers will also receive a block of “points” to spend on our library of downloadable choral and instrumental pieces. - **Manage your church’s music library**. Organize your music library in one master location. Once your library information has been added, you can plan using both your physical library as well as the Prelude library with a single search. | [![Facebook](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/augsburgfortress/) | [![Twitter](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/augsburgfortres) | [![Youtube](https://blog.preludemusicplanner.org/hubfs/Augsburg%20Fortress/Social/AF_youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtZR7BPcns-WJE_HNjkfmsw) | | --- | --- | --- | Copyright 2026 | Designed with by [Augsburg Fortress](http://www.augsburgfortress.org)