Sunday, October 29, 2023
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Monday, October 29, 2018
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
At long last, Pat's CD, has been released. It was designed by Libby and me, but most importantly, it was reviewed by musical friends who taught and loved him. It's available on his web site at CD Baby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/patrickwood
The digital version can be downloaded, but I highly recommend the hard copy because of the tributes. I asked many to comment. All replied, and their stories brought him back again. Even if you have heard his music before, you will enjoy their memories, including a history and homage from Pat's first teacher Ann Warde, along with many who played with him. As Ann implied, you didn't really teach Pat, you just let him take you for the ride of your life.
The CD includes a tribute from alternative rapper M C
Lars, Pat’s roommate at Stanford, who wrote a song about Pat called
“Twenty-Three.” “I met Pat my freshman year and instantly was
captivated by his sense of humor and intelligence and great spirit. I
miss him so much and wish I could have done something to prevent his passing...
but none of us knew how serious it was. That’s the pernicious nature of depression…” The video,
sponsored by the American Federation for Suicide Prevention, is available
on: http://mclars.com/site/activism.
What is this CD about? It's about Pat's legacy as an exhilarating young man, who devoured music and math and soared through life, but who could not escape the ravages of depression. It’s about his triumph and achieving the height of humanity, but also about the very real depth of his soul. You can hear it in the intensity of his music. There’s the lift of “Aufswung” (soaring) and the isolation in Des Abends (in the evenings). It’s a reminder that no matter how capable we appear on the outside, everyone is vulnerable. His music speaks to the highs and lows of life, the virtuosity but also the gravity that comes with passion. Even though Pat did not survive, the CD sends a message of hope that those who are victims of suicide will be remembered for embracing humanity. They fought pain without hope of relief, and they deserve our understanding.
Proceeds will go to Pat's Scholarship at Pomfret School. We give $1000 a year to a day student from northeastern Connecticut, who has high academic qualifications, but we are hoping to raise much more. Pat received so much help from Pomfret, and we want to pass that legacy on to future “Pat Wood Scholars.” Previous winners include: Hannah Leo, Pomfret School Class of 2011, Isabelle Lofquist ‘12, Zachary Bellerose ‘12, Harrison Schroder ‘13, Daniel Kellaway ‘14, and Cead Jones ‘15
The CD was remastered by Pomfret’s own Mark Thayer of Signature Sounds. Mark really brought out the highlights and guided the process from original audio files to the polished final results. Most importantly, he shared a sensitivity about the importance of preserving Pat’s music. It had to be perfect, and Mark made sure of that. Copies are available in local stories including Wonderland Books, Pomfret Spirit Shop, the Pomfret School Book Store and Advancement Office, Martha’s Herbary, Celebrations, Pizza 101, and the Vanilla Bean,
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Although Pomfret School has been in the forefront of gay issues for some time, I just recently discovered an insightful article about their gay-friendly campus. In 2009 the school paper, called The Pontefract after the school's namesake in England, questioned whether Pomfret was fully tolerant. Here are the students' responses.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Pomfret School Remembers Pat
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Media Coverage of Pat
Two local newspapers explained more about Caed Jones, this year's winner of Pat's scholarship to Pomfret School.
The Norwich Bulletin July 31, 2011
The Putnam Town Crier August 11, 2011
The Norwich Bulletin July 31, 2011
The Putnam Town Crier August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
A Student Who Cared
Two more articles recognize the student who wrote them, as well as Pat. Sara Markes was a shy, bubbling eighth-grader when she entered Rectory School several years ago. Contradictory as that may sound, it described her ability to be soft spoken but bursting with curiosity and indignation at the same time. She felt a kinship with Pat. She cared deeply about everything. She would rush into newspaper class, talking faster than I could understand about injustice. The result was two gutsy articles about tolerance for gays. She was the first to write what everyone knew in their hearts but rarely admitted. She was a fighter for goodness, including Patrick.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Effect of Pat in School
Pat's death has affected people who didn't know him. I see it in my school. Kids know that he died and seek me out. They have a feeling that I connect on a different level because of him, and they're right. Whether it's bad test day, bad friend day, or just plain things are wrong day, they know I'm a listener. Because of Pat. Sometimes we take it to the next step and write about it for the school paper, and because these articles are so closely tied to Pat, I continue to post a few in hopes that others who mourn can see how his death is changing. It's rippling through those who knew him and those who didn't. It's hurting and yet it's strengthening. It's a whiplash between good and grief. The articles that come out of the bad days are some of the good. Kids are thinking. They're serious. They want tolerance, and they want it for everybody. They inspire me to want it, too, whether it's for eleven-year-olds in Springfield who commit suicide or for anyone feeling lost. The articles are a collaborative search for answers. They are a search for Pat.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Pat's Garden
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