Patrick D. McCoy honored among 2013 PG County Forty Under 40

Feb. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Petersburg, Virginia native Patrick D. McCoy (35) was honored among his peers as a member of the 2013 Cohort of the Prince George's County, MD Forty Under 40.  Residing in the county since 2006, McCoy has been active in the community as a music teacher, church music director and most recently as a music journalist.  Founded by Tonia Wellons in 2012, Forty Under 40 represents the brightest and best that make their home in PG County.  Nominations were widely accepted from individuals and underwent a rigorous review process.

"It is special to be honored by the community in which one lives, which is not always the case.  I have been doubly blessed to have been celebrated by not only my native Petersburg, but now also by Prince George's County, Maryland having resided here since 2006.  I am certainly thankful to my loyal supporters for thinking enough to nominate me for such an honor.  Most of all, I am greatly indebted to my parents for their unwavering love and support."  McCoy reflected.

NBC Washington, News 4 Prince George's County Bureau Chief Tracee Wilkins served as the mistress of ceremonies.  Congresswoman Donna Edwards was among the array of noted officials to give congratulatory remarks.
The event was held in The Sunset Room, located at The National Harbor.


McCoy taught vocal music at Rosa L. Parks Elementary School for two years where he led the choirs in numerous performances with music colleague Lemoria L. Lester, Jr.  In July 2012, he was honored by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts during the morning worship service at D. C.'s Takoma Park Baptist Church in recognition of the conclusion of six years of service as the church's Minister of Music.  Currently, he serves as Acting Organist and Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, where Father John Harmon is Rector.

McCoy earned the Bachelor of Music from Virginia State University and the Master of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory.   Reaching outside of the arenas of teaching and performing, McCoy in 2009 pursued his passion for writing and reporting about classical music.  Launching an online radio show and column devoted to the arts, he has created a niche for himself as one of the nation's aspiring arts columnist.  Last year, he was invited by Dr. Darryl Taylor, the founder of the African American Art Song Alliance to be a guest presenter at the conference hosted at the University of California at Irvine.  In 2012, he was named the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, one of the District's most important social publications.  He maintains a demanding schedule, covering both local and national arts events.  His column "Perfect Pitch" is the inaugural arts column for the popular magazine.

Patrick D. McCoy is the president of the Ben Holt Memorial Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., Member of the Board of Directors for the Coaltion for African Americans in the Performing Arts, an associate member of the Recording Academy and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., among other numerous affiliations.