Community Corner
ABOUT TOWN WITH MARK SNYDER: Stoughton Youth Places in National Music Competition
Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town
Alex Pattavina, a native of Stoughton, recently finished in second place in a national contest, the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival, High School division. That prestigious annual festival was held in Westerfield, Conn. two weeks ago.
Last spring, the Thayer Academy senior finished second in the regional bi-annual Quimby Organ Competition. For that competition, he was the only participant not in a college music program!
He got his start learning the organ at the St. Paul's Choir School in Cambridge. He tells About Town, "My teacher was John Dunn. I started piano in kindergarten at the South School in Stoughton. I learned the basics at Stoughton Music Center with Steve. I switched teachers in third grade to Suzanne Osberg. I studied with her until sixth grade. The Choir School required me to transfer to a teacher on staff there. His name was Libor Dudas."
In ninth grade, Alex went to Thayer Academy. He adds, "I stuck with the organ. My current teacher Phillip Jones is in Brockton. I've studied with him since seventh grade.
"The first competition I did for organ was in 2011," he told me, "I read about it on the internet, and felt it was worth trying. I did better than expected. I was against all college students, and got third place. It's every two years. So, this past spring I finished second in the same competition. I was again the only high school student."
He's exploring other competitions to fill in the every-other-year gap. As a high school senior, he's also in the application and tryout stage for college. His top choices would be Eastman School of Music in New York, Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, and Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
"Most require an on-site audition," he mentioned. "They need to hear you play, whether in person or over the computer."
Alex has some concerts coming up. The first recital is Nov. 17 at St. Paul's Church in Cambridge. It starts at 3 p.m. Others include St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford, Conn. and First Unitarian Church in Worcester. Both of those will take place sometime in 2014. Alex also plays at St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge for the Sunday Mass at 9:30 a.m.
He has been asked by the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists to perform a recital at their upcoming installation of officers at Harvard University’s Memorial Church.
"I'd like to thank my parents for helping me prepare my application materials for the competitions I did, and for driving me to all the competitions and practice times," added Alex. "They are essential to my success. I'd also like to thank them for their financial support throughout my entire education."
We wish Alex luck in pursuing his musical dreams.
But, he's from the right place. Lori McKenna, Mike Viola and Maria Sangiolo have all gone on to big things in the music business. And, of course, Stoughton High is among the best musical programs in the nation.
