A Profound Loss: Agnes Wan Patterson will be remembered as an accomplished concert pianist, professor of music, church musician and above all: a loving mother and wife.
by Patrick D. McCoy
It is with deeply profound sadness to share the passing of Dr. Agnes Wan after her battle with cancer. She was 42 years old. Wan was an accomplished concert pianist, music educator and international concert performer. Her most recent appointment was at Virginia State University where she served as an Assistant Professor of Music and also served as an adjunct lecturer in piano at The College of William and Mary. Previously, she served on the faculties of Maryville College, The Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, Chowan University. Wan also served as church accompanist at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Smithfield, VA
In 2017, Dr. Agnes Wan, (second from left) joined her music colleagues at Virginia State University for a faculty recital during Parent’s Weekend.
A virtuoso pianist, Wan was a first prize winner at the Paris Virtuoso Music Competition and the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, among many other prestigious prizes. Her concert performances took her all over the world in recital appearances in Washington, D.C., Canada, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Japan among others. In 2013, Wan was invited to join the roster of Steinway Artists, a distinction she has held since that time. Her artistry and impact on students through her teaching and performances will be remembered.
A viewing for H. Agnes Wan Patterson will be held on Sunday, October 6, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Smithfield, VA at 3:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the church.
IN TRIBUTE: Pianist Agnes Wan in a 2018 Performance with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Villani.
A native of Petersburg, VA, Patrick holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia State University and a MM in Church Music from Shenandoah Conservatory. Formerly the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, he currently is a freelance writer, publishing articles for several noted publications, including The Washington Post, Early Music America Classical Music Voice North America, The Afro-American Newspaper, CBS Washington and Examiner.com. He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., The American Choral Directors’ Association, a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Zion Parish in Beltsville, MD. Visit http://patrickdmccoy.com