Michael Parrish

B. Michael Parrish of Annandale, VA died December 14, 2020 of complications from a stroke. He was born on July 28,1951 in Lexington, KY to the late Barnett and Feb Parrish. He was the beloved husband of Alice, father of Michael (Reston, VA) and William (Annandale), and brother of Ronald Wash (Lexington). He will be missed by many relatives and friends.

In his youth, Michael sang in the Christ Church boys choir in Lexington under Robert Quade. An organist from an early age, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal School of Church Music in London as an English Speaking Union Exchange Scholar during his final year of high school. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he studied organ with Arnold Blackburn, and subsequently studied at the Royal School of Church Music Course for Overseas Musicians. His teachers included Christopher Herrick, Sir George Thalben-Ball, Dr. Herbert Howells, Dr. Gerre Hancock, and Dr. Paul Calloway.

As guest organist with The Choir of St. Michael and St. George (St. Louis), he played services in St. Paul's and Canterbury Cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, and St. George's Windsor. Michael often gave recitals, including on the great organs of Washington and New York City.

Michael was the organist and choir director of Washington Hebrew Congregation for 23 years. He also served at St. Paul's Rock Creek, First Church of Christ Scientist, and All Souls Memorial Episcopal, all of Washington, DC; The Old Presbyterian Meeting House of Alexandria, VA; St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church of McLean, VA; and First Presbyterian Church and Broadway Christian Church of Lexington, KY. He held positions in the American Guild of Organists, District of Columbia chapter, from 1981 to 2004, including dean from 1995-1998. He was also active in the Anglican Association of Musicians, the Guild of Temple Musicians, was on the fund raising panel for the Virginia Arts Council, and served on the Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Association of Alexandria.

A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Church Georgetown at a later date. Donations in Michael's memorial may be made to the Cantorial and Concert Fund at Washington Hebrew Congregation whtemple.org, the Music Fund at Christ Church Georgetown christchurchgeorgetown.org, or Sprout Therapeutic Riding Center sproutcenter.org.