A native of New Jersey, James Christopher Pardini is Instructor of Keyboard and Music Theory at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. At SVC Chris teaches organ, piano, sacred music and a four-semester sequence of music theory. Chris also directs the College Concert Series and is developing a post-baccalaureate certificate program in Sacred Music. He is also Director of Music and Liturgy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish in Greensburg, and Cathedral Organist for the Diocese of Greensburg.
As a teenager, Chris was a piano student in the intensive PEPS program (Program for Excellence in Piano Study) under the supervision of Frances Clark at The New School for Music Study in Kingston, New Jersey. Chris holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ) and a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester, NY).
Prior to his appointment in Greensburg, Chris was Organist and Director of Music at The Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, where he headed one of the nation’s leading sacred music programs. Under his direction, the semi-professional Shadyside Choir recorded a commercial CD entitled "Be Still, My Soul" under the ProOrgano label. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Chris was the Senior Organist at the Crystal Cathedral (now Christ Cathedral) in Garden Grove, California where he performed weekly on the "Hour of Power" television program for a worldwide television audience.
Chris is also a published composer of award-winning music for a variety of media. His past composition projects included three chamber pieces commissioned by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and as well as orchestrations of hit songs by American vocal group The Jacksons and the British/American rock band Foreigner for live performances by the original artists. His most recent project was a series of orchestrations for members of the band Chicago for their recent “Take Me Back to Chicago” concert tour.
Education
MM, Organ Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY BM, Sacred Music and Organ, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ Service Playing Certificate (S.P.C), American Guild of Organists
Courses
Private Piano Lessons Private Organ Lessons Fundamentals of Music Theory Harmony I Harmony II Form and Analysis Piano Lab
Research Interests
Composing and Arranging for a Variety of Media Studying and Teaching the Standard Keyboard Repertoire Preparing and Presenting Organ, Piano, and Harpsichord Recitals Piano, Organ, and Theory Pedagogy The Keyboard and Organ Works of Johann Sebastian Bach
Professional Summary
Presentation of organ, piano, and early keyboard recitals. Former Senior Organist at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California performing weekly for a worldwide television audience. Nationally recognized specialist in Sacred Music. Choral director. Published composer of sacred and secular music. Orchestral arranger for famed pop bands and vocal groups. Specialist in music theory and analysis.
