With a tone and musicality often described as “pure chocolate,” Patrick Hughes has performed as a soloist in recitals across the United States, at annual regional horn conferences, and at International Horn Society (IHS) Symposia. In 2006, he gave the Asian premiere of Kazimierz Machala’s Concerto for Horn, Winds, and Percussion in Bangkok, Thailand. He has also been featured as a soloist with numerous ensembles, including University of Texas groups,  the Northwestern University Percussion Ensemble, the St. Olaf Orchestra, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. The Dallas Morning News praised Hughes as “…a dream soloist… His tone was warm and honeyed, his virtuosity and legato both apparently effortless.”

Patrick Hughes is Associate Professor of Horn at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also serves as Head of the Brass, Wind, and Percussion Division, and directs the award-winning UT Horn Choir. In addition to his academic work, he maintains a vibrant freelance career. He is principal horn with La Follia Austin Baroque (performing on valveless horn) and regularly performs with the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Austin, Austin Lyric Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Opera Piccola of San Antonio. He also plays with touring Broadway musicals and enjoys collaborating with popular artists performing in Austin. He is a founding member of the Cortado Horn Quartet, with a mission that includes both performing and presenting workshops and clinics that focus on improving private horn instruction.

His summer teaching appointments have included the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Round Top Music Festival, and the Kendall Betts Horn Camp. A sought-after educator and clinician, Mr. Hughes frequently presents masterclasses and recitals both in the U.S. and internationally. In May 2013, he traveled to Australia to teach, perform, and present the Australian premieres of three of his horn choir compositions at the Queensland (Brisbane) and Sydney Conservatories of Music.

An avid composer and arranger, Hughes has premiered original works such as Dancing on the Hill and True Colors (Denton TX), From Hildegard (San Francisco and Ghent Belgium) and Climbin’ (Montreal). Dancing on the Hill received Honorable Mention in the 2015 IHS Composition Competition (Virtuoso Division). His recent compositions include Pange Lingua for two horns and piano, and Climbin’ (2021) for horn choir. His music is published by BrownWood Publishing.

Mr. Hughes hosted the Mid-South Regional Horn Workshops at UT in 2005 and 2014, served as an adjudicator for the International Horn Competition of America, and was a member of the Reviewing Committee for the IHS Meir Rimon Commissioning Assistance Fund. From 2015 to 2021, he served on the IHS Advisory Council, including as Scholarship Coordinator.

Before his appointment at the University of Texas, Hughes taught horn and music theory at the University of New Mexico (1995–2001). He performed as principal horn with both the Santa Fe Symphony and the Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, and toured the U.S. and China with the New Mexico Brass Quintet. He has also held teaching positions at Ithaca College and SUNY Fredonia, and performed with notable ensembles such as the Santa Fe Opera, Minnesota Opera, New Mexico Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Duluth-Superior Symphony, Cedar Rapids Symphony, and the New Columbian Brass Band.Hughes earned degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

His discography includes appearances on recordings such as Conspirare: Choral Works by Samuel Barber; Thoughtful Wanderings (compositions by Douglas Hill); MidWinter (with singer-songwriter Peter Mayer); New Mexico Winds; Devisadero (works by Christopher Shultis); and Russell Pinkston: Balancing Acts. His upcoming solo CD, Crossroads, featuring works for horn with piano, horn choir, and electronica, is slated for release in October 2025.

Mr. Hughes performs on a custom Patterson Horn.