Across the world to Amherst
His road to the College took Savage across the world. When he was nine, his family left the U.S. for New Zealand, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. While there, he was a chess champion for three years in a row, a member of the National Champion U-18 basketball team and an orc and a soldier of Gondor in "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." But Savage soon decided that he wanted a more intellectually challenging experience than what he could find in New Zealand's universities, and opted to return to the U.S. for college. After looking at the Ivies and other small liberal arts institutions, he chose Amherst based on the feel of the College. His decision was also influenced by the fact that his entire extended family still lives in the northeastern United States, including an aunt and uncle who live in Amherst.
Though widely known for his musical abilities, Savage came to the College intending to major in chemistry. He was a Hughes Fellow the summer of his sophomore year and while he enjoyed his research experience, Savage felt that it wasn't where his passions lay. "I realized that while I was in lab and after I got home I'd be listening to music and singing, but I would never get home from a music rehearsal and dive into the latest chemistry research."
College musician
The factor that changed his mind was his a cappella group, the Zumbyes, which he joined as a first-year because "they seemed like they had the most fun." Savage began casually, but became more involved with the group, arranging pieces and becoming the Zumbyes' director his junior year. "To have a mind that can so quickly compose tunes for jazz, funk, R&B and Calvin & Hobbes is to be extremely blessed," remarked fellow Zumbye Chris Gillyard '08. "Not only does he have the raw talent for such things, but he has put so much work on top of his talent that it is hard not to respect everything he's done musically. I personally feel honored to have met and worked with such a fine musician and an even better friend."
As Savage used his talents to help the Zumbyes, he found himself increasingly enamored with the group's repertoire. The mix of jazz, R&B, Motown, funk and soul greatly influenced his tastes and the music he would later write.
As a musician, Savage did not limit himself to only the Zumbyes. This past fall, he founded the Funk Department-a group of music majors involved with jazz who wanted to cater to the party scene. Such a group had ceased to exist ever since the members of a band called the Naughty Muffins graduated several years ago. Savage felt it was time to fill the void. The Funk Department gave him a chance to sing solo as the front man. Having had only one solo with the Zumbyes, Savage wanted "[his] time to wail and have fun performing as a lead instead of part of a group."
"He's a fantastic musician in all respects, and one of the few people at the College who I feel understands the true importance of music in people's lives," said Funk Department member Alex Rodriguez '07. "Underneath the goofiness, he possesses a real drive to do good things, especially with music. He [also] has a real knack for doling out nicknames." Indeed, Pat 'Dr. Funkenstein' Savage, as he is called, has made the Funk Department a success, and the group can often be found on weekends livening up a party.
Setting comics to music
All of Savage's musical experience ultimately led to his decision to write a composition thesis. He felt that he needed "to actually write something substantial on [his] own to really understand how music works on a practical as well as theoretical level." Savage believed that if he did not take advantage of the resources available at the College, especially the musical groups and advisors, he would never have such an opportunity again. Still, he was never certain that he could convince about 40 people to devote their time to rehearsals and perform. In the end, all of his groups (Zumbyes, Funk Department and Jazz Ensemble) came through, and the Blue Stockings trusted him enough to lend their skills.
Perhaps the most interesting element of his thesis was the "Calvin and Hobbes" theme. "I just love 'Calvin and Hobbes,'" said Savage. "The strips are very philosophical, but not in a pretentious way, and are about childhood and being silly. These are all things that are important to me."
Savage came up with the idea when he was reading "Calvin and Hobbes" with his girlfriend Sawa Matsueda '07 during their daily "mandatory snuggle time." Afterwards, he immediately set out on "the best research project ever," re-reading every "Calvin and Hobbes" strip and selecting the ones he felt best captured their essence. He ended up using only Sunday comics because he found them more visual, making them more translatable into music. The performance was an overwhelming success in front of a standing-room-only crowd in Buckley Recital Hall. Savage invited "Calvin and Hobbes" creator Bill Watterson to the performance, but unfortunately Watterson was unable to attend.
Savage started working on his thesis during the summer before his senior year with a Dean of Faculty Student Research Fellowship, an opportunity that he recommends others to take advantage of. With his advisor, Assistant Professor of Music Eric Sawyer, on sabbatical, Savage spent the first few weeks composing on his own with limited e-mail contact with Sawyer. Though Sawyer provided a helpful perspective on the process, Savage enjoyed beginning his work free of outside influences and developing his ideas from scratch.
Savage also received help from Director of Jazz Ensemble Professor Bruce Diehl. Savage credits him for being "very supportive of students trying to do their own thing." For his part, Diehl said, "It's been a truly rewarding experience hearing how he has improved over the years (as the jazz ensemble vocalist). He has always been a good musician ... but his interpretation of the tunes he has sung with us is truly where he sets himself apart." Furthermore, Diehl added, "His thesis performance of Calvin and Hobbes-inspired music was also a neat experience."
Humility in success
Before thesis work began to consume his time, Savage shared his wisdom with others as a first-year and upperclass RC. He wanted to help first-years enjoy their inaugural year at the College as much as he had enjoyed his. Austin Leach '08, one of his former first-year residents in Pratt two years ago, said, "Pat is a great guy and was an awesome RC. It was always nice to be invited in for coffee." Even this year, Savage returned early for orientation to meet the class of 2010 and trained to be an Academic Peer Mentor to help them adjust to Amherst. He likes to see the optimism and excitement inherent in first-years "before they become cynical upperclassmen."
Savage also shares his intellectual curiosity with others. He founded "Thoughts of Amherst," Amherst's journal of students' works done during the academic year. Savage originally proposed the idea in his final project for Democracy and Education with Professor O'Connell in fall 2005 with the grander goal of publishing every work written by every student in an online forum. When this didn't pan out, Savage decided to ask for student submissions for a publication printed and available online. "[It] seemed like an idea waiting to happen," said Savage. "Most publications out there require a lot of extra work, but students are cranking out work for their classes full-time. We just ask them to send that work to us and [we] select the ones we think really deserve to be shared with the rest of the student body."
Still, it was difficult to work from scratch. Alex Urquhart '08, director of the Council of Amherst Publications, provided his expertise with editing and formatting. "[Savage is] a great leader," said Urquhart. "Never overbearing, just interested in the success of the magazine, however it may be come by. I have never known him to shirk his responsibilities or make excuses about not having enough time. Despite his occasional, mildly pained expression, he is always easy-going and friendly to acquaintances and strangers alike."
Even with all these attributes, Savage manages to keep his humility. Roommate Noah Isserman '07 said, "Pat is a rare person-he's independent and motivated without being pushy, and manages to be insightful and intelligent without pretense." These qualities are well reflected in his recent nomination for Phi Beta Kappa. "Pat doesn't know-and is refreshingly unconcerned about-his GPA," Isserman said. "In fact, he was unfamiliar with Phi Beta Kappa, and when he got the letter he came to me and asked if it was just a bogus organization after his $50 registration fee. It's the utter lack of pretense, despite rare ability and drive, that really sets him apart," said Isserman.
Savage relaxes from time to time, especially on the basketball court. Although his original plan to play varsity basketball at the College didn't pan out, he still enjoys the casual yet intense nature of the game. "I have learned to appreciate his savvy basketball skills and his boundless desire to push the ball out on a fast break and score," said one of his pick-up basketball teammates, David Temin '10. "Pat has a love for the camaraderie and the pure joy of playing with friends." On occasion, Savage can also be found on the Ultimate field, enjoying the outdoors.
He has certainly enjoyed the full Amherst experience. His numerous other activities include working as a tour guide and in the music library, as well as performing on stage as a transvestite maid in "La Cage aux Folles" his sophomore year. It is little wonder then that he feels the need to stay in contact with friends through his coffee open houses.
Kiwi in Kyoto
While Savage does not look forward to leaving, he is ready for the future. He is organizing a Zumbyes trip to Japan this June, and will be in Japan in September as the Amherst-Doshisha Fellow. At Doshisha University, Amherst's sister school in Kyoto, Savage will teach University English once a week and get involved in the local music scene. Additionally, his girlfriend is from Japan; the two of them plan on living together in Kyoto next year. "We enjoy being a cute and silly couple … and hopefully we'll be able to spend many happy years together," said Matsueda
After his year in Japan, Savage said he might like to work for a little while as a barista, making coffee in classy cafés. He wants to learn calligraphy in Japan, and use it to make calligraphy coffee art. "It would be fun to work at a café, become a master of coffee," he said. "I could listen to music all day long, and compose on the side." Eventually, he hopes to teach music at either the high school or university level.
Whatever Savage chooses to do, it will be with his rare combination of class, intelligence and humility. "Pat enlivens and enriches anything he is a part of, a quality that I truly admire and value," said friend and fellow Zumbye Andrew Rubenstein '07. "He exemplifies what an Amherst student should be."