From the time he was a toddler in his car seat singing “Just the Way You Are,” by Bruno Mars, SHS sophomore Jermaine Patterson has had a passion for music.
According to Patterson’s mother, Thea Patterson, Jermaine became involved in music through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Recalling the influential experience, Jermaine said, “We got to play any instrument we wanted, so I sat at the keyboard.” Inspired by John Legend’s song, “All of Me,” Jermaine said he was six or seven years old when he sat at the piano until he figured out how to play the song. “The song spoke to me,” he commented.
As the youngest of three children, Jermaine found a lot of enjoyment in listening to and making music. “Music brings out a whole different point–it can bring you joy,” commented Thea. She also explained that music can be therapeutic: “If he’s upset, he’ll listen to music. It’s a stress reducer and a whole social connection,” she added.
As a fourth grader in Scituate, Jermaine learned to read sheet music while he was learning how to play the trumpet. When he entered Gates Middle School, music teacher Greg Lessard explained the similarities between reading trumpet and piano music; however, Jermaine said he still prefers to play by ear.
SPS Department Chair of Fine Arts, James Thomas, stated that Jermaine has been a trumpet player in the Symphonic and Pep Band. “We graduated strong trumpet players and look forward to Jermaine and the rest of the trumpet section assuming a leadership role,” he explained. Thomas also looks forward to seeing how Jermaine grows as a trumpet player in the upcoming years.
Jermaine has played the piano in previous school assemblies, such as “Our House.” When he performed at the high school while still a middle school student, many teachers noticed his talent. Thomas stated, “Jermaine is awesome! He brings a great sense of humor, has a sense of freedom to his playing, and overall has a lot of potential.”
In addition to the trumpet and piano, Jermaine plays drums and the guitar, but he said the piano is still his favorite instrument. “It was my first instrument. I love the sound of it,” he said.