Bio
Willis C. Patterson, professor emeritus of voice and former associate dean, joined the faculty in 1968 after having taught at Southern University (Louisiana) and Virginia State College. Mr. Patterson has concertized extensively in the U.S. and Europe and has appeared as bass soloist with major American orchestras. He was a Fulbright Fellow and a winner of the Marian Anderson Award for young singers. Mr. Patterson, who appeared as King Balthazar on NBC-TV in its production of Menotti’s opera Amal and the Night Visitors, has been seen professionally in such operas as Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Beethoven’s Fidelio and Puccini’s La Bohème. He has served as president of the National Association of Negro Musicians and as executive secretary of the National Black Music Caucus.
