I have the best job in the world. As music teacher at Louisville Elementary, whether we’re learning about people and music from around the world, or practicing design thinking through creating music for video games or Spotify, my goal is always the same: to draw from my career as a musician to design experiences that educate and engage, and most importantly, to build strong relationships with every child and make a positive impact on their lives.
After studying music composition at Northwestern University, I was a freelance musician in Chicago, produced an award-winning podcast called synesthesia, wrote children’s musicals for the Chicago Park District, and earned Master’s degrees in audio production and music education. My most recent album, Dead Ends & New Beginnings, is a collection of piano improvisations recorded during COVID lockdown.
Below is a brief portfolio from my music career. Thanks for visiting!
–Patrick Blim-Hockberger (Mr. B)
Original Songs for Elementary Music
New lyrics by Mr. B
New lyrics by Mr. B
Piano Album
As a kid I loved sitting at pianos and making up music. During quarantine I rediscovered that love. This album includes my favorite moments from over 100 piano improvisations. You can hear my creative process as I explore and develop musical ideas. Each recording was minimally edited. Every happy accidental and beautiful imperfection was preserved. In school I felt pressure to make music as perfectly as possible. Now that I am a music teacher, I want my kids to make music in a way that makes them happy. Working on this album brought me joy during a dark year. I hope it brings you some too.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or right here:
Radio & Podcasts
Synesthesia – A Podcast Opera
Created & Produced by Mr. B
“Easily one of the most creative podcasts ever.”
– Jay Soderberg, former head of podcasts at ESPN
“Heartbreaking… hauntingly beautiful and incredibly important”
– Jessie, Between Two Earbuds
“A brand new art form… Who has done a podcast opera before?”
– george cederquist, opera box score
“Chilling… each episode is released exactly a year after the moment the gun went off.”
– Syd Shaw, North by Northwestern
An interview with the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra
Produced by Mr. B for 98.7 WFMT
A Condensed History of the Observable Universe
Produced by Mr. B
Each second represents 1 billion years
A history of synthesizers
Produced by Mr. B for 98.7 WFMT
Soundtracks & Sound Design
From the video game “Rails”
Music by Matt Kania and Mr. B
Original video: BBC’s Planet Earth
Music & sound by Mr. B
Babies & Beats
Sound design by Mr. B
A Cappella
Originally performed by Frankie Laine
Solo by Mr. B
Music directed & arranged by Mr. B
Choral Conducting
Conducted by Mr. B
Conducted by Mr. B
Patrick Blim-Hockberger 