Director Bio

Patrick McGuire, Director of Music
(701) 235-5757 
pmcguire@stsaaj.org 

Patrick McGuire became Director of Music in our parish in June of 2021. He previously spent 5 years as Director of Choral Activities at Shanley High School & Sacred Heart Middle School in Fargo. Patrick obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2016 from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Music through the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). An avid organist, cantor, conductor, and composer, Patrick has spent much of his early career focusing on sacred music and liturgical studies.

He has prepared and conducted multiple liturgies for Diocesan Events, including the Chrism Mass, Mass for Ordination of Deacons, Knights of Columbus Clergy Mass with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, and multiple Catholic Schools Week Masses for the St. John Paul II Catholic School Network. Patrick is an integral part of the committee that puts on the Diocese of Fargo Parish Musician's Workshop each year. He can be heard on the radio from time to time on Real Presence Radio discussing sacred music, and has been guest conductor of the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to his responsibilities at the parish, Patrick is also the Young Professionals Chair for the North Dakota American Choral Director’s Association and Co-Editor of the NDACDA Chorister publication. He has served as a guest clinician and conductor for various ensembles, parishes, and schools throughout the region. Born in Laguna Niguel, CA, he grew up as 1 of 8 children in a raucous Irish-Catholic family. Patrick lives in Fargo with his wife Alyson, daughters Ruth and Hattie, and dog Bailey.