Dominic Perissinotto is Organist and Director of Music at St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle, a position he has held since 1998. Dominic is also a professional concert organist and former President of the Organ Society of Western Australia.
2017 marks Dominic’s 50th year, the 17th year of his successful Pipe Organ Plus concert series and the 19th of his music ministry at the Basilica.
In a heartfelt interview with Ali Biddiscombe for The Record Magazine, Dominic reflects on how music continues to shape and drive both his spiritual and professional life.
When the small rural township of Yarloop in Western Australia was devastated by a bushfire in 2016, a story emerged of a retired organist who lost everything he owned; his home and an irreplaceable organ under restoration.
A call to action was led by the then President of the Organ Society of Western Australia, Dominic Perissinotto, and a committee was formed to help raise money for a friend and organ builder.
“It was an emotional journey for everyone, but people rallied and we put our music ministry into action staging several concerts to help,” Dominic said.
It is this sense of giving and service that has shaped Dominic’s life since early childhood.
Dominic was raised in an Italian Australian Catholic family in Melbourne surrounded by music.
He knew intrinsically at 11 years of age that he wanted to become an organist like his father; an aspiration which realised a successful professional career and music ministry.
Attending high school in Melbourne run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Dominic went on to complete an undergraduate degree at Melbourne University, before heading off to the Royal College of Music in London, serving as Organ Scholar at Westminster Catholic Cathedral, working with musicians at the forefront of church music.
He gave recitals at St Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals, Westminster Abbey and the Oxford Town Hall, toured Belgium, Italy and England. He then studied for a Master of Music back at Melbourne University.
“My education and these steps have all centered on being a Church musician; an inspirational basis from which to work. I have been fortunate to make the organ my life.”
In 1998, Dominic accepted his current position which coincidentally, is also the first Oblate Parish in Australia; a connection not lost on him.
“I guess you could say that Oblate spirituality, particularly the sense of continual service to others, has always defined my own relationship with God,” Dominic said.
“In particular the sense of Oblate hospitality, as any choir member who’s come to dinner at my house before rehearsal will attest.
“It has impacted on my life since high school. My hope is that this transfers to all members of the Music Ministry at St Patrick’s, no matter what their own faith background might be.
“A personal challenge is to constantly grow in faith both as a person and as a musician so that we can inspire others in worship.
“However, as you are there giving of yourself to the liturgy, there can often be very little time left to receive,” Dominic said.
“Choosing the music is a different kind of challenge and there is much debate regarding what sort of music is suitable for performance in Church
“The Basilica ministry explores a vast array of works from early Church music in the form of Gregorian chant, through to contemporary works.
“We hope to engage on all levels giving congregations time to participate, listen and reflect.”
“Ultimately though, Lent and Easter seasons are the best period for music within the Church.
Dominic went on to say that there is such a rich tapestry of music over these three months, with severe changes in mood as we journey from penitence and seeking God’s mercy, through to Christ’s journey to Calvary and the intense suffering he underwent for us, and then his joyous resurrection.
“That this is not the conclusion, but a step on the way to the four weekends of Ascension, Pentecost, Holy Trinity and finally the Body and Blood of Christ, which makes for a wonderfully rich spiritual experience, through which we can enrich people’s lives with the music specifically for these weekends,” he said.
When it comes to concert performance, Dominic says this opens up a much wider range of possibilities.
“There are marvelous religious works, which in our modern liturgical style, do not work.
“Performing a Mass setting which goes for an hour would stretch the attention span of any congregation, however many enjoy the experience when presented in a concert.
“My Pipe Organ Plus concert series is designed to provide that forum, because we have a wider scope for performance.
“Presenting concerts with other professional musicians keeps me alive musically and provides a wider audience for the organ, often thought of as something only used for church services.
“One of the most exciting aspects of my musical journey though is the exploration of new works in order to add to the already significant body of repertoire.
“This process requires three points of the triangle: Composer – Performer – Listener.
“I see myself falling very firmly into the second of those, using my gift to be able to play or direct a group of musicians, preferring to leave the inspiration of creating a piece to others.”
Dominic conducts the Basilica Choir and a group of cantors who provide music for masses all year. If you are interested in being a part of this music ministry team as either a choir member or as a cantor, we invite you to get in touch with Dominic who is currently recruiting new members.
From pages 10 and 11 from Issue 7: ‘Dominic Perissinotto: Growing in faith, with music’ of The Record Magazine