Patrick Prescod, the musical genius who blessed the world with the hymn “The Right Hand of God” and inspired thousands of students of the St. Vincent Grammar School through the school song he wrote, died on Thursday.
He was 81.
And as news of his death emerged, citizens took to the social networking website, Facebook, to remember the musician who had touched the lives of many in so many different ways.
Sean Sutherland, himself a celebrated,international musician who was preparing for a two-day concert on the weekend, wrote, “Today SVG has lost one its finest musicians.”
(Watch video of Sutherland playing the Grammar School Song on piano at the end of this post)Dexter Rose, the nation’s envoy to Cuba, said Prescod, who was commonly known as Pat Prescod or Uncle Pat, was “one of the most gentle persons I have known.
“Oh what a spirit. … SVG benefited from his presence among us. Rest on Uncle Pat. At the right hand of God,” the diplomat further said.
Among those paying tribute were also persons he had taught music, with varying degrees of success and a former radio announcer at whose wedding Prescod played a decade ago.
Among honours bestowed on Prescod were Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E) in 1983 and Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in 2007.
Among Prescod’s notable achievements was his founding of the Kingstown Chorale in 1956.
He graduated from Trinity College of Music in London in 1962 then returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where he resumed directorship of the Kingstown Chorale.
He was music officer for SVG between 1963 and 1987 and served as adjudicator for music festivals, as well as steel band and calypso competitions.
He was Regional Coordinator for Caribbean Church Music from 1978 to 1980.
Among other honours bestowed on him was Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1983 and Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2007.
He was among three Vincentians who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in New York last December form the Internet-based group, VincyCares.
My sympathy to his family. May God comfort them. May our Country remember him for his outstanding contribution in his lifetime.
Pat was a musical genius that has lifted the country’s musical genre through his writings, his playing, his conducting,his teachings,his mentoring,his coaching, his personality, oh what a great maestro, he has left a great legacy that I hope will live on.
Pat was always full of enthusiasm, had brilliant ideas and was very creative with his music, which had a big influence on me and my family. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had when I visited St-Vincent to share in the Sunday Service playing the organ with the legendary Pat Prescod.
Music is a gift from our Heavenly Father. May these gentle,joyful devotionals help us to celebrate Pat faith in God, renew our mind, refresh our spirit and encourage our heart with his love. Pat died in the Peace of Christ. May he have eternal rest.
From David, Renee,& Hughie Williams. From England.
Pat Prescod was the first and most important influence of my musical career…He was a fantastic pianist,but he was an even better music teacher who was able to open our eyes to the wonder and intricacy of music especially to young people…He made me want to become a professional musician,for which I will be forever grateful…in addition he was a good and decent human being,and although St.Vincent has lost a great citizen,his legacy and musical heritage will live on…My sincere condolences go out to Fred,the Prescod family,and every Vincentian whose lives Pat has touched….