Alumni
Notre Dame's Master of Sacred Music program trains professional musicians for work in Christian churches or to pursue a Doctorate in Musical Arts in performance or a Ph.D. in music history, ethnomusicology or liturgy. MSM students develop high degrees of musical skill and a working knowledge of the worship lives of Christian congregations, integrating the artistic, scholarly, and pastoral dimensions needed to flourish in their chosen profession.
Distinguished by its artistic goals, interdisciplinary methodology, and by an engagement with Christian musical traditions, the Calvin M. Bower Doctor in Musical Arts program offers professional training of conductors and organists who wish to work at the highest levels in colleges, universities, and seminaries, as well as in cathedrals, churches and other artistic communities throughout the world. And its students are in demand— receiving high-caliber job offers from churches and universities, sometimes even before graduation.
Take a look at what our students are doing in the world after they graduate.
J.J. Wright '17
DMA - Conducting, MSM - Conducting
Director, Notre Dame Folk Choir and Grammy Award Winner
South Bend, Indiana
“Studying sacred music at Notre Dame helped me to develop my skills as a sacred musician in an integrated way. The program encouraged me to cultivate my musicianship, scholarship, and faith in a holistic way in order to adapt to the ever-changing demands of being a church musician."
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J.J. Wright '17
DMA - Conducting, MSM - Conducting
Director, Notre Dame Folk Choir and Grammy Award Winner
South Bend, Indiana
“Studying sacred music at Notre Dame helped me to develop my skills as a sacred musician in an integrated way. The program encouraged me to cultivate my musicianship, scholarship, and faith in a holistic way in order to adapt to the ever-changing demands of being a church musician."
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Jamie Caporizo '15
MSM - Voice
Senior Director of Mission and Ministry, Alvernia University, Reading, PA
South Bend, IN
"Studying Sacred Music at Notre Dame helped me to more deeply connect my Catholic faith to the liturgy as I learned more about theology, scripture and the sacraments. Through the study and performance of various types of music, I gained an appreciation for different faith traditions while learning how connected we really are. From preparing music for Sunday Masses to auditioning for professional ensembles, the education I received in Sacred Music at Notre Dame is an integral part of my professional life. I am so grateful for the formation I received at Notre Dame. "
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Michael Emmerich '12
MSM - Organ
Associate Music Director, Archdiocese of Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
"For my current role, I visit small communities dealing with minimal musical literacy or people that want to learn how to cantor effectively or how to sing a psalm well, helping prepare and lead choral ensembles. Church music is a discipline that lives through transmission, being handed on. This is a practicing art. Sacred music requires you to be able to do it all, and here at Notre Dame there are faculty and facilities and communities of students where that really becomes possible."
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Brad Todorovich '11
MSM - Conducting
Director of Sacred Music, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Elkhart, IN
"SMND exposed me to the world of church music through historical, liturgical, and practical methods which enabled me to find full-time employment before graduation and serves me well in my current position at a multicultural parish."
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Chris Dekker '18
DMA - Organ
Director of Choral Activities and Visiting Assistant Professor, Hope College
Holland, MI
"I currently serve as the Director of Choral Activities at Hope College, and direct two ensembles there: the Chapel Choir, the school's premier auditioned ensemble; and the College Chorus, the ensemble open to all community members, students, and faculty. I also oversee the rest of the choral department."
100%
Of our graduates find rewarding positions in schools and churches, launch performance careers, or continue on to further studies at prestigious programs.