Prior to coming to San Antonio, Bill was a member of the “President’s Own,” U. S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. where he performed for numerous events in the White House as well as national broadcasts, recordings and tours. A graduate of the University of Houston, he holds a Master’s of Performance from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His teachers include Alan Abel, formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the legendary snare drummer Buster Bailey, formerly of the New York Philharmonic, Chris Deviney and Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Bill has been the Principal Timpanist for the former San Antonio Lyric opera, and has been a frequent performer with the Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, and Mid-Texas symphony orchestras.
His passion for music education includes ongoing outreach in the public schools, working with directors and students with clinics, master classes, performances, as well as being a frequent consultant with school districts developing curriculum for percussion.
He has been a featured clinician for Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Percussive Arts Society International Conference (PASIC), and he has been on the faculties of Trinity University, St. Mary’s University, Texas Lutheran College and the Trevino Performing Arts School in Laredo, Texas, as well as being a clinician and endorser for Sabian Cymbals and Majestic Percussion.
Bill maintains a very active teaching studio in San Antonio and coaches players at all levels. His work with younger players includes coaching percussion for the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, as well as collaborations with the “Make a Wish Foundation.”
He is also the inventor and owner of www.PattersonSnares.com, and his cable snares are now used by almost every major orchestra in the world.
In his spare time, he and his wife, Ann, enjoy spending time with their daughter and two sons and their families who live in the Austin, Texas area. He enjoys wilderness backpacking and hiking in the Rocky Mountains, plus fishing and other outdoor activities. His most recent adventure included extensive hiking in the Fiordsland and mountains of New Zealand with his older son, Ryan.