Dr. Patrick Flannagan
During his distinguished career as a teacher and musician, Dr. W. Patrick Flannagan has traveled extensively and performed within many of the world’s greatest concert venues. He’s studied under the 20th century’s most noted conductors and shared his talents with generations of students. And although his vast experience could have taken him anywhere, Dr. Flannagan chose instead to dedicate his life to those in our community who share his love of music.
“I’ve been involved with music all of my life. I first sang a solo in public when I was about 4 years old at my home church. I’ve been singing ever since. I must give a lot of credit to the music teachers in the Bristol Tennessee Public Schools who guided methrough my formative years. Two teachers, in particular, were very influential in my life: Don Davis and L. Howard Nicar. They both taught quality music and the importance of preparation needed for a quality performance. I will be forever grateful to them. I cannot omit a teacher with whom I studied as undergraduate at KingCollege: C.C. Loomis. He literally changed the course of my life. I enrolled in college to pursue another program because I knew it could lead to a good job. Loomis came to me at the end of my freshman year and said:‘You’re going to be my student conductor.’ My whole life veered into another direction, and I felt immense peace about it. During graduate school, I had the opportunity to learn with some of the most importantconductors of the 20th century: Leonard Bernstein, Robert Shaw (my mentor), Seji Ozawa, Joe Flummerfelt (my conducting teacher), et al. However, it was Loomis who pushed me into a career in music, and I have never stepped on a podium without thanking him,” he says.
Following his graduation from King in 1974, Flannagan enrolled at Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in church music and a master’s in choral conducting the following year. He later earned a Ph.D. in musicology from The Catholic University of America and, throughout much of his career at King, was known simply as “Doc.”
At King, Dr. Flannagan was responsible for developing the choir program and building a music curriculum that leads to rewarding careers or graduate studies. He accepted that challenge by developing programs that give students the option of majoring in music or music education, and created ensembles that include the symphonic band, jazz band, symphonic choir, women’s ensemble, men’s ensemble, jazz choir and chamber choir. While honing their musical skills, students participating in these programs have also been afforded the opportunity to travel extensively within the U.S. and elsewhere. Together, they have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Avery Fisher Hall, Scotland’s Sterling Castle and the Festival of the Aegean in Greece.
“I had the opportunity to build an academic music program from scratch at King College, now King University. My career in music has taken me to places and provided me with friendships that I could not have imagined. I’ve conducted choirs in England, Scotland, Greece, Houston, Dallas and across the Southeast. And let’s not forget training five choirs for performances in Carnegie Hall. That’s overwhelming to reflect upon,” he says.
Flannagan’s work at King reflects his strong commitment to the liberal arts ideals of education. To those he trains as musicians, he also stresses the importance of effective communication, an understanding of math and science, and an appreciation for how every discipline contributes to the beauty of the world around us. He looks at life through the lens of scripture and leads through a life of learning, teaching and serving.
“Unfortunately, the arts in America have been relegated to a position of an add-on, and seen purely for entertainment. Other cultures see the arts as a necessity for society. There’s no doubt that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is important to our future, but what if our way of recording life is left entirely to scientists and mathematicians? Historically, the arts have given us a way to remember past eras and cultures and have left us with windows into how people think and feel. With training, someone may listen to a jazz tune and get a glimpse of African-American history of the USA. Another may listen to Beethoven and have an understanding of Europe during Napoleon’s time. On another track, the arts offer people an opportunity for personal expression that is not available in the world of science and math. That personal expression may be in creating the art, in interpreting the art for others or by encountering the art. Allegedly, Winston Churchill was asked to cut funding for the arts in order to fund the military efforts in WWII and he replied,’Then what are we fighting for?’ The arts are a commentary on our lives and a reflection of the things that are important to us. I have often been asked‘Why do you like to sing?’ and an honest answer is that it’s cheaper than a therapist. The arts do, indeed, provide that opportunity for people to listen to our inner voice and discover more about ourselves.,” Flannagan says.
Because of his deep roots in the community, he and the King College Choir were invited in 1984 to join the Kingsport Symphony and the Kingsport Symphony Chorus for a special performance. That opportunity sparked a relationship that grew over the years, ultimately resulting in Flannagan’s position as founding conductor for Voices of the Mountains, a regional chorus that is affiliated with Symphony of the Mountains. He remained in that role for more than a decade before passing the baton.
“I am so humbled and honored to receive this award. However, it’s the many students or singers with whom I have worked that have earned this award. A choral director is nothing without singers. Imagine going to a symphony concert to watch the conductor and no one was performing the music. That’s my position. I have been fortunate for many years to have talented singers who trusted me to ‘be their ears’ and create an ensemble out of many voices. All of those singers and students brought me to this award, and they are not forgotten to me. I am very aware of the giants of the arts in our community who have received this award before me, and I am amazed that my name will be listed alongside their names,” he says.
And while he has dedicated his career to music, Dr. Flannagan’s greatest love is his wife, Beth, and their children and grandchildren. He also counts good food and baseball, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, among his favorite things.
