Performing Arts Of Maitland

Margaret Patten

Margaret has a versatile background as a pianist, organist, flutist, composer, conductor and teacher. She received the International Grand Trophy for Composition in Ottawa, Canada, and her works have been performed in the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D. C. and at universities and churches throughout the United States.
Ms. Patten has performed as soloist and faculty accompanist throughout the United States. She has taught on the faculties of Merced College, California, Texas Wesleyan College (Arlington, Texas), and Valencia Community College, Orlando. She has performed as a professional accompanist throughout the United States and Canada and has been faculty accompanist at the colleges listed above as well as at the State University of New York (Plattsburg), and the University of Central Florida, Orlando.

Ms. Patten has been Director of Music at The First Presbyterian Church of Maitland and currently is Artistic Director and Conductor of the Maitland Symphony Orchestra. She has a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Performance from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, with postgraduate study at the University of Texas (Arlington), and Texas Christian University (Fort Worth). Ms Patten has a private teaching studio for organ, piano, flute, and composition in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Dr Jeff Flowers

Jeff is a violist in the MSO Orchestra and President of the Performing Arts of Maitland. He has lived in Maitland for 16 years. He is a small business owner of Flowers Chemical Laboratories, an environmental testing firm, in Altamonte Springs. Dr. Flowers has been an active committee member of The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference for 15 years. He and his wife June live in the Hollieanna Shores area. In February 2011 Jeff and June received the Mayor’s Community Award for their work with PAM.

Gary Blalock

Gary created the Maitland Stage Band “MSB” while also rehearsing and performing with the MSO.  His contact list of band performers in this area may be as long as the MSO roster! Gary studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Musical Arts with the principal clarinetist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, prior to auditioning for the United States Navy School of Music in 1957.  During his naval career, which spanned 30 plus years, he performed as the solo clarinet and lead alto saxophone with bands throughout the United States, the Orient, and Europe.  Progressing through the enlisted ranks from Seaman Recruit to Master Chief Petty Officer, he was selected for the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in 1975.  His first assignment as a newly appointed Warrant Officer was as the Director of Navy Band Orlando.  His tenure in Orlando was from 1975 to 1979.  This was an extremely exciting time as the country was celebrating its bicentennial, which saw Navy Band Orlando performing at patriotic events throughout the state of Florida, all the theme parks, and at Cape Canaveral on many occasions, which included President Carter’s presentation of medals to the astronauts.  Subsequent assignments were as Director Navy Band New Orleans, Director Navy Band Commander Seventh Fleet, and the naval representative at the Armed Forces Professional Entertainment Office; which provides both celebrity USO shows and non-celebrity entertainment to military troops stationed at remote locations throughout the world.  Gary personally worked on USO tours by Lee Greenwood and Wayne Newton.