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Music Directing and Conducting

For me, music direction is never just about clean cues or perfect cutoffs; it’s about breathing life into a story. As a composer, playwright, and performer, I bring a storyteller’s perspective to music direction. Every rehearsal is a chance to connect structure with emotion, to make sure that every note serves character, theme, and the heart of the piece.

 

I draw inspiration from mentors who model rigor paired with humanity, and from conductors and composers who show that leadership in music is as much about listening as it is about leading. Music direction is an act of translation: between score and stage, orchestra and audience, individual artistry and collective expression.

At Redhouse Arts Center, I had the privilege of shaping productions that ranged from Golden Age classics (Carousel) to contemporary powerhouses (Next to Normal, The Color Purple), building an environment where singers, musicians, and creative teams could all discover new dimensions in the work. Earlier in my career, I served as Associate Music Director on 28 productions at Sacramento Music Circus, where I learned the art of balancing precision with adaptability on shows like Sweeney Todd, My Fair Lady, and Guys & Dolls. Those years taught me that the best pit is one where every player feels heard and supported, even as they serve the larger storytelling.

Whether conducting a full orchestra, coaching a cast vocally, or collaborating with directors on interpretation, I strive to create rehearsal rooms that are both exacting and joyful. My goal is always the same: to honor the score, elevate the ensemble, and ensure that music becomes not just an accompaniment, but the beating heart of the production.

Select Music Direction & Conducting Credits

Redhouse Arts Center

  • Carousel

  • Dreamgirls

  • Into the Woods

  • Ragtime

  • Next to Normal

  • The Color Purple

  • Big Fish

  • A Man of No Importance

  • Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

  • Seussical

  • Oliver

  • and more


Sierra Repertory Theatre

  • Some Enchanted Evening

  • Jersey Boys

  • Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella


Florida Repertory Theatre

  • Shout! The Mod Musical


Summer Repertory Theatre (Santa Rosa)

  • Chicago

  • The Drowsy Chaperone

  • West Side Story

Associate Conductor

  • Spamalot 2nd National Tour

Recognition

  • Four-time Lincoln City Fellowship recipient (Speranza Foundation)

  • Two-time Music Director of the Year (SALT Awards, for Carousel & Dreamgirls)

  • Multiple SALT Award nominations (Big Fish, A Man of No Importance)

Patrick Burns is a playwright, composer, director, and performer

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© 2025 Patrick Burns

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