Patten Academy has a strong tradition of excellent music programs. Patten Academy’s music program is aligned with its philosophy of music education that every student should be able to participate in music as worship in their home church and community.

Instrumental instruction begins in 3rd grade on strings and drums and in the 5th grade, on all band instruments. Students are taught by professional musicians in the symphony and music education fields.

Our music coordinator, Dr. Bill Harrington, has been teaching at Patten Academy for close to forty years, has a Doctorate in music education from Boston University and possesses a CA Lifetime Single Subject Credential in Music as well as being actively involved in various other community organizations.

Patten Academy has students accepted annually into various California All-State honor groups such as the CODA State Honor Orchestras and the CBDA/CASMEC All-State Bands. . In 2022 and 2023, the Academy Orchestra I received a Command Performance rating at the ACSI Band and Orchestra festival in Fremont, CA.

Students who have graduated in the last five years from Patten Academy have continued their music studies in colleges and universities including UC Berkeley, Pepperdine University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, William Jessup University, California Baptist University, Cal-State East Bay, San Jose State, San Francisco State, Morehouse College, St. John’s, the University of the Pacific, and UCLA.