Master of Sacred Music
- Introduction
- Three Concentrations
- Our Community
- Co-Directors of the Master of Sacred Music Program
- Applying
Introduction
The Master of Sacred Music is a degree program situated in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, but with major participation from faculty in the Department of Music.
The purpose of this master's degree is to train professional musicians for work in the Christian churches, at a time when there is a well-established need for skilled musicians who understand the liturgy and know how to work with pastors/priests and within congregations.
Graduates of the program are also well prepared for administrative and teaching positions, for work in the media, and for doctoral study in music and a variety of related disciplines. The program is broadly ecumenical, but gives specific attention to Roman Catholic traditions and practice, as well as to the particular needs of the Catholic Church in the United States.
The MSM is designed to take full advantage of Notre Dame's distinguished ecumenical faculty in Liturgical Studies, giving students unique training in this subject area.
All students admitted to the program are awarded full-tuition fellowships. Virtually every admitted student also receives a placement in church music, liturgy, or related technology and the sacred arts. It provides a $12,500 stipend to defray living expenses.
Students are Admitted Into One of Three Concentrations
Our Community
The program is deliberate in its attempts to create a strong community while students are at Notre Dame, and to provide good networking and communication for alums. Each student has an advisor in addition to the principle teacher. Close attention is paid to career goals and formation, and our placement record is excellent. Every month a group of students meets with the Internal Director of the Program to keep the lines of communication open for the good of the community.
All MSM students are required to take Colloquium/Master Singers every semester; it meets on Thursdays 12:30-1:50 (.5 credit each semester). The aims of the Master Singers are to build camaraderie among students in the three concentrations, to give students more podium time, and to encourage the students to become familiar with a broad repertory of sacred music.
Two times per semester, the Master Singers’ slot is occupied by the MSM Colloquium series. The Colloquium offers a workshop or guest speaker who presents on some aspect of sacred music. Once a semester, on Thursdays at 4:30, the Colloquium is held jointly with the Program in Liturgical Studies. Students meet with the presenters, all of whom are authorities in their fields, and host one of the colloquia each year.
Co-Directors of the Master of Sacred Music Program
Professor Michael Driscoll is the founding director of the MSM Program. His scholarly interests are in the area of liturgy and sacramental theology.
Professor Margot Fassler's special fields of study are medieval and American sacred music, and the liturgy of the Latin Middle Ages. Her subspecialties are liturgical drama of the Middle Ages and Mariology.
Gregorian chant is at the center of Professor Peter Jeffery's wide-ranging scholarly research interests. Jeffery’s publications have focused on medieval music, especially liturgical chant.
Applying
Please note: Due to the recent announcement of our new Professor of Conducting, Carmen-Helena Tellez, we have extended our audition CD/DVD due date until January 1, 2012.
For further information regarding the application process, consult the subpages to the left, contact Janet Rudasics at the MSM office at jrudasic@nd.edu or by phone (574-631-5349).
The application is a three-step process:
- Prospective students must send an audition CD or DVD by December 1 to Janet Rudasics, 248 Malloy Hall, Notre Dame IN 46556; phone: 574-631-5349; consult the website for repertory requirements established by the faculty;
- The graduate school application is due January 1 and must be completed online (fee $50.00);
- Selected students will be invited to campus for interviews and for auditionson the weekend of February 17-19, 2012; a small number of these will be admitted to the program. Specific details will be forthcoming. There will be assistance with transportation and accomodations.