Victoria, BC  Canada

 

 

Percussionist:  Caleb Patstone

 

The Avalon Singers are thrilled to have Caleb Patstone add his talent to our concerts. 

 

Caleb Patstone, came to the Avalon Singers in 2019 as a grade 11 student.  He had officially been playing percussion in concert band since sixth grade.  He was auxiliary percussion in jazz bands in grades 7 through 9, and beginning in tenth grade was the lead drummer for the PCS Jazz band.  

 

Our percussionist, Brad Hawkes mentored that very first season and assured us we were in good hands!  

Caleb has been with us several seasons now... pre and post pandemic.  The difference percussion makes to the sound and energy of this choir is truly amazing.  It's such a privilege to have him with us and we certainly are in good hands!

 

Caleb is currently a creative writing student at U. Vic.   The Avalon Singers are VERY grateful for you, Caleb! 

 

 










Percussionist:  Brad Hawkes

 

The Avalon Singers were and are thrilled to have had Brad Hawkes add his incredible talent to our concerts and all those YouTube Video's.  The difference his percussion made to the sound and energy of this choir was truly amazing!  It was a privilege to have him with us. He recently drummed for us in fact as we did our solo performance at the Arbutus 25th Anniversary Concert in 2023.

 

Brad's love of drumming started as a young lad in the 60's. He is completely self-taught... a natural!  In the 70’s he joined a rock band led by his older brother. They’d pile the gear into the van and play top gigs all around Prince George. 


Brad focused less on his drumming while establishing himself.  He married Lorraine in 1974 and pursued his education achieving a
B.Sc. in Forestry in 1976, and a M.Sc. in 1979 from the University of Alberta.  Their children, Stephen and Sarah arrived in the early 80's.  In 1993, Brad earned a Ph.D from the University of Montana.  Dr. Brad Hawkes became an accompished and well published Scientist specializing in Fire Research and Environmental Science.

In the mid 90’s, his day job well established, Brad could focus on his favorite pastime.  He developed his musical repertoire playing at Mass and for a variety of musicians.  Today, and now retired, he has been recorded on well over 40 CD’s for a number of songwriters and bands up and down Vancouver Island.  His music styles include folk, country, bluegrass, celtic, jazz, rock, latin, persian, blues and choral.  Most recently he was a finalist in solo/duo in the International Blues Challenge and currently has several ongoing gigs with a fabulous group called Paradise Street.

 

Brad is well represented on YouTube, Avalon Singer Concerts, our Channel, and you can often check where he's playing.  Discover his daughter's Honour Design too!

 

Brad Hawkes - Percussionist