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Monday November 20, 2017 Edition
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Serving With Music Sharing The Journey With Dr. Kevin Parizo

Dr. Kevin Parizo has been playing the organ and bringing sacred music to people attending St. Mary's  Church in Middlebury for 50 years.
photo by provided
Dr. Kevin Parizo has been playing the organ and bringing sacred music to people attending St. Mary's Church in Middlebury for 50 years.

photo by provided

Monday November 20, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

Middlebury native Kevin Parizo is a Liturgical Musician and serves as a conduit striving to bring people closer to Christ. Parizo has played the pipe organ for the past fifty years at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury and also plays at the Methodist Church as well. Parizo has played thousands of hours and has brought organ and piano music to three generations. Yet his true gift does not stop there. When Kevin Parizo places his hands on the magnificent organ at St. Mary’s something magical happens. Parizo transports people to their own unique place inside themselves reaching into their hearts and minds whether it be a regular Sunday service or times of great emotion as celebrations are about joy or sadness. The organ becomes more than an incredible collection of pipes and wire under his fingers and skill; it becomes the backdrop to the journey that each person takes in their life to spiritual understanding.
    Parizo was seven years old when he began taking lessons from St. Mary’s organist Irene Burns. He would sneak up the stairs to listen to Ms. Burns practice and shared that the sounds intrigued the young musician. His parents purchased him an electric organ and his love of music grew. He began sharing the organ duties with his teacher Ms. Burns starting in his freshman year of high school at MUHS, went on to the Conservatory of Music in Montreal and obtained a degree in Musical Performance, a Master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and his Doctorate degree in Sacred Music and Organ from Concordia University of Montreal.
    Even though Parizo had a passion for music, it was a moment shared with his best friend and the rest of the MUHS football team that proved to be the turning point sending him toward a career that would link him to sacred music. “My best friend from elementary school Matt and I were on the MUHS football team. In my junior year we went to Pine Plains, New York to play in the dual state champion game. Our coach Hubey Wagner did not believe in a separation between church and state so the whole team went to church. We pulled up at the Pine Plains church and were greeted by the Pastor. He commented that the size of his church being so small was probably not what we were used to but we were welcome. My friend Matt Hincks popped up and shared that I played the organ at our church at home and the pastor asked if I would play. When I finished playing for the service I came out to see my teammates had formed a line and applauded as I came through. Matt turned to me and commented, ‘Well, that’s what you should do.’ I knew moving forward that my path was set.” Ironically years later Parizo’s friend Matt would become a priest and to this day serves at a church in Michigan.
    Dr. Parizo was quick to point out the unique situation that exists in Addison County since Middlebury is blessed not only with a tradition of music of all genres being a part of life but all mainstream churches possess a solid music program. “Middlebury is truly unique in this respect,” commented Dr. Parizo. “The Congregational Church has Jeff Buettner, the Episcopal has George Matthews and Emory Fanning has been playing for over fifty years at Mead Chapel.” While Parizo’s career has taken him around and afforded him the blessing of playing the organ at some of the most famous cathedrals and churches in the world including Notre Dame in Paris, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome, the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Notre Dame Basilica in Ottawa, West Point Cadet Chapel (USMA) and many others, it is the connection to the service, the faith and the organ itself that keeps Parizo passionate and still playing. On any given Sunday St. Mary’s might hold 200-300 people who have come to church each dealing with issues in their own lives. “You really don’t know how the music ministers to them,” shared Parizo. “Music affects every person differently. My job is to play the emotion the composer intended and to also give it my own as well. IF I have done my job correctly, the music will reach someone and hopefully help.”
    The organ located at St. Mary’s is actually the third to grace the building since its founding in the late 1860’s. The Walker Technical Company of Pennsylvania and Mr. Alan Stemer of Stemer Organs were given the large responsibility to add digital technology to the organ in June this past summer. Underwritten by a grant from the Vermont Conservatory and an anonymous benefactor, the project allowed the organ to retain its hauntingly beautiful sound and reach the congregation from different sides of the church as well. Dr. Parizo oversaw the renovation and pointed out, “It would probably surprise the readers to know that there are so many different sizes and lengths of pipe in the organ. Some are as small as 1/8th of your little pinky finger and some are sixteen feet in height. In addition, there are hundreds of miles in wiring as well.”
    As he has for the past thirty years, Dr. Parizo teaches students in piano and organ. His current students range in age from very young to early 80’s and come from all over the state and like Parizo himself so long ago, the serious music student has to come to the realization that practice, no matter how repetitive is beneficial and the cornerstone of a career involving music. “Today’s teens are pulled in so many directions,” lamented Dr. Parizo. “It is very difficult for them to commit the time needed to make music their path. So many other things vie for their attention.”
    Looking forward to the coming holiday season Parizo has been preparing his own music and working with the choir as well. “Music is emotion from within,” explained Dr. Parizo. “Music speaks to our heart without words and brings to each person a different sense and reflection.” While his repertoire is vast, Parizo did share that one of his all-time favorite pieces of sacred music is In Dulci Jubilio by Bach and when he is not playing or practicing he can be found walking. A recipient of two new hips and back surgery Parizo knows his longevity with the organ relies not only his passion and persistence but his commitment to keeping healthy and strengthening his own ability to put his body through the rigors of playing day after day.
Dr. Parizo welcomes all who want to come to church to check out the websites for the normal mass times and the special Christmas Eve service. Viewing his role as more than a musician and a partner in the ministerial outreach of his faith, Parizo plays to support the words of the Bible and the ceremonies of the church and plays to each parishioner individually. Parizo strives to use music to bring peace, reflection, joy and reach into people’s hearts and minds in his deliveries of the sacred music pieces.
    As the holiday season approaches music will be increasingly heard in the homes, streets, stores, cars and yes, the churches of Addison County. Since the doors of churches are open to all who seek a chance to listen, reflect and celebrate faith, Addison County is truly blessed to have on hand Parizo and the other professional musicians who walk their faith through their music. Better yet, look on Facebook for a recently posted video of Dr. Parizo playing the pipe organ and witness for yourself how the beauty of the organ, the mastery of the composers and the artistry of a man brings you to a place where music opens you up. Dr. Parizo has earned accolades and been named the Artist of the Year by the American Guild of Organists. Come to church and listen. Use your ears and your heart. There you will find Parizo’s mission and his passion to serve through music and bring faith to people on a daily basis. It was that way fifty years ago and continues to this day. Under his skilled hands, the organ truly sings and speaks.


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