About Patrick

Patrick Grimes is currently the band student teacher at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Indiana. His teaching emphasizes every student’s holistic success, growth, and welfare, as they work to consistently elevate their personal performance standards. In May 2025, Patrick will complete his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University, where he studied trombone with Peter Ellefson and conducting with Dr. Tiffany Galus and Dr. Jason Nam. Originally from Plano, Texas, Patrick graduated from Plano West Senior High Magna Cum Laude where he was a member of the Mighty Wolfpack Band and Jazz Orchestra.

Patrick is an enthusiastic educator who works with bands nationwide. Most recently, he was Head Undergraduate Staff for the IU Marching Hundred, where he oversaw section operations and daily sectional instruction during the first College Football Playoff Season. Prior to that, he worked with the Hebron (TX), Fishers (IN), and Edgewood (IN) high school marching bands. In 2024, Patrick’s passion for marching arts education led him to join the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. In his rookie season, Boston won the silver medal and earned their highest score in corps history.

Patrick served on the National Association for Music Education at IU Executive Board. As Outreach Coordinator, he was instrumental in creating and administering “Downbeat.” Downbeat is a free private lesson program for students at Title I schools in Monroe County, Indiana. The program is funded by grants and charitable donations and gives students in underserved communities a chance to receive high-quality private instruction on their instrument.

Patrick is not only a passionate teacher, but also strives for excellence and growth as a performer. In Spring 2024, Patrick placed first at the IU trombone audition, becoming Principal Trombone of the IU Wind Ensemble. While at IU, Patrick has also participated in the Big Red Basketball Band and Crabb Band, in addition to being a four-year member of the Marching Hundred.

Patrick continues to explore his passion for writing and arranging music. In 2023, the IU Marching Hundred included his music in their BOA Grand Nationals exhibition performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Marching Hundred also featured Patrick's music in their 2023 homecoming half-time show, and his pep band arrangements are performed weekly for over 17,000 basketball fans in IU’s historic Assembly Hall. Patrick also has extensive experience writing music for concert band and chamber ensembles. In addition to teaching and playing trombone, Patrick loves the outdoors. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys backpacking, hiking, and camping!