john r paradowski, musician
John R. Paradowski is Minister of Music and Worship and Organist at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, one of Wisconsin’s leading ELCA houses of worship, where he leads an extensive worship and music department including multiple graded choir programs, comprehensive worship planning, and a concert series. In 1999 Mr. Paradowski directed the installation of the new, 55-rank Schlicker pipe organ at St. Matthew’s Church as part of an extensive worship space environment remodel. During his time at St. Matthew’s, Mr. Paradowski has built an exemplary and nationally acclaimed music program, leading him to be awarded the 2005 National Religious Music Alliance Award of Distinction “for developing and maintaining one of our nation's finest worship music programs.”
Mr. Paradowski is active in the greater Milwaukee area as a recitalist and accompanist, performing Camille Saint Saëns’ Mass for Two Organs and Choir with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; and Francis Poulenc’s Concerto in G Minor for Organ, Strings and Timpani, Félix Alexandre Guilmant’s Symphony #1 for Organ and Orchestra, and Josef Rheinberger’s Organ Concerto #1 with the Concord Chamber Orchestra. He has served as guest orchestra conductor for “Christmas at the Basilica” with the Concord Chamber Orchestra; and has made numerous concert artist appearances with the professional vocal ensemble The Milwaukee Choral Artists; the community chorus Milwaukee Master Singers (where he performed Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms); and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (where he performed Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb for the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association). Most recently, Mr. Paradowski served as Artistic Co-Director and pianist for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin’s [ARCW] 30th Anniversary Gala Benefit, an evening gathering Milwaukee’s performing artists together – including The Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, and the One Voice Community Chorus – to raise awareness and resources in the fight against AIDS.
In 2011, he was invited to perform a solo organ recital at the esteemed Madonna della Strada Chapel, on the campus of Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Mr. Paradowski was requested to provide organ music for the PBS documentary on church architecture, “A City of Steeples,” which aired in 1997.
Mr. Paradowski’s choral music is published by Augsburg-Fortress, Choristers Guild, and Hal Leonard Publishing. He is a published author in the Augsburg Fortress “Sundays and Seasons” worship resource guide; in “Overtones,” the official journal of the Handbell Musicians of America; and in “The Chorister,” the journal for the Choristers Guild.
Mr. Paradowski has led sessions in creative church music, hymnody, and repertoire at many national and local workshops and conferences of the American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, American Baptists Assembly, Augsburg-Fortress Publishers, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He was guest lecturer on the topic of “Handbells in Worship” at the 2009 Association of Lutheran Church Musicians National conference. He was Organist and Choir Director for the Hymn Festival at the 2014 Lutheridge Music Week held in Asheville, North Carolina.
Mr. Paradowski holds the bachelor’s degree in organ performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, where he studied with Dr. John Chappell Stowe. He completed advanced studies in organ with Dr. Susan Klotzbach (currently at Illinois Wesleyan University); and Dr. John Ferguson (retired from St. Olaf College). He carried out additional studies in voice with Carol Greif (Wisconsin Conservatory of Music); Marlee Sabo (Wisconsin Conservatory of Music); and Kurt R. Hansen (Northwestern University). As a choral musician, Mr. Paradowski has sung and studied under the leadership of Margaret Hawkins, Dr. Robert Fountain, and Lucinda Thayer, and pursued graduate choral conducting studies with Dr. Sharon Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
An active member of the American Guild of Organists for many years, he is a past Sub-Dean and Registrar of the Milwaukee Chapter. His professional memberships include the American Choral Directors Association, the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the Handbell Musicians of America.
With Music I Will Praise the Lord Forever!
“I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
As we join in praising and worshipping our Lord, the apostle Paul speaks to the point that we must not only let the spirit enter our heart, but also our minds. Music speaks to and for what lies deepest within us. It can unlock a hard heart or give wings of expression to a heart that overflows with joy and gratitude. Martin Luther understood the profound power of music, as he declared in these words: "Next after Theology, I give music the highest place and the greatest honor. I would not exchange what little I know of music for something great. "
If music is so important in our lives, what are the goals, values, and standards for which we should be striving in the church? I present here five objectives for a music ministry.
First: To Offer Music for the Glory and Blessing of God.
This is the chief end to which all of our musical activity is presented. We therefore seek to offer the best music, in the best spirit, to the best of our ability to glorify God. Our songs seek, through well-written texts, to articulate a well-rounded theology of the gospel throughout the world.
Second: To Assist the Congregation in Worship.
Music must always serve worship, so that all may find a means of expressing glory to God. We must all strive for full participation of the congregation in worship. Worship is not a spectator sport where the leaders "do" worship for the congregation to watch. All congregants must be able to join in the Song always. All the musical ensembles, vocal, handbell, and instrumental present anthems, songs, and hymns to encourage the congregation in their personal prayer and worship life.
Third: To Aid Our Congregation in Developing their God-Given Gifts.
Music is not just entertainment or adornment, but a pathway to that which lies deepest within us. It involves the whole being: body, soul, mind, and spirit, and embeds scripture upon the memory. Through Vocal and Instrumental ensembles for young and mature, for beginning or advanced we want to help our congregation develop musical skills, so that they may have the ability to use musical expression to God's glory.
Fourth: To Educate Children and Adults in the Music of the Church and Increase their Ability to Worship through it.
Noted children's music educator Helen Kemp has rightly said, "We all like what we know. We must teach them to know more so that they will like more." To know the great music of the church opens worlds of worship opportunities to our congregation. This kind of growth and skill development takes time and requires delayed gratification, as does growing in Christian discipleship – but it is time vitally spent.
Fifth: To Provide an Opportunity for Christian Fellowship and Support.
All music ministry programs are built on a spiritual foundation, valuing not only musical excellence, but also the spiritual growth of all members. We are not here just to make music, but to worship God through it. The many and various choirs of this church are unique places of fellowship, crossing barriers of age, personality, and social status. We are all here for a common purpose of spiritual development through God’s glorious gift of music.
Compositions & Publications
Music Samples
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John Paradowski, organist - Brass and Organ Concert
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John Paradowski, pianist - Lutheridge Hymn Festival
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John Paradowski, conductor - SMLC Children's Choir & Women's Ensemble
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John Paradowski, organist - Loyola University Chapel
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John Paradowski, conductor & pianist - SMLC Fallen Angels Women's Ensemble
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John Paradowski, conductor - SMLC Bells Angels Advanced Handbell Ensemble
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John Paradowski, Composer - Lakeshore Chorale, Sheboygan, WI