John Paddie holds a master’s degree in composition from Sam Houston State University. He studied under Drs. Kyle Kindred and Brian Herrington. He is an active composer, arranger, percussionist, vocalist, and educator in the Houston, Texas area.

He graduated from the Woodlands High School as a four-time participant in the Woodlands High School Marching band and was a national finalist twice in the Bands of America Grand National competition. He served as section leader in the Sam Houston State University Bearkat Marching Band for two years. He also sang with the Statesmen Chorus competing in the Barbershop Harmony Society competitions. He plays in the Houston-based rock-fusion band Zero Detail on drums and backup vocals. He performs on auxiliary percussion for Joe Burlison’s Uptown Jazz in addition to arranging for that group. He was a founding member of the Rock-It Rocket Band, a group that performs for Woodlands area children. He performed for and has writing contributions for Jack Nelson’s americana album Let ‘er Buck and played aux percussion on Joe Burlison’s Uptown Jazz Christmas Album in 2016. Zero Detail released their second EP, Make It Through in December 2019.

His music has been performed by marching and concert ensembles alike all over the United States. He was awarded the Fisher Tull Composition award in 2019 for his percussion trio Shakr Hmn. He has written for and taught for scholastic marching ensembles in Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland, and Virginia. In 2019, Morris High School in Morris, Oklahoma won the 2A state championship with a custom show designed by John.

He currently serves on the board of the Houston-based non-profit Avanzare Vocal Ensemble and is an active advocate for music, education, music therapy, LGBT+ rights and equality, and mental health awareness. His musician’s collective, the Ornith Collective, serves composers in the greater Houston area. John hosts a podcast, Music In Our World, which can be found on any podcast platform.

What is Ornith Music?

Ornithology is the study of birds. I’ve always found birds infinitely fascinating, so when it came time to create a brand for my work, it makes sense to name my business after birds at large.