Programs of Study
Currently Sacred Music at Notre Dame offers two programs of study:
the Master of Sacred Music program in Choral Conducting, Organ, and Voice,
and the Doctor of Musical Arts programs in Choral Conducting and in Organ.
Master of Sacred Music - MSM
The Master of Sacred Music is a degree program situated in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame 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. READ MORE....
Doctor of Musical Arts - DMA
In the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Notre Dame, we seek to form 21st-century organists and choral directors with superior creative and analytical skills, and with an interdisciplinary perspective. We aim to develop the highly proficient techniques required by professional, collegiate, community and church musicians, so they can perform at the highest levels of achievement. Aspiring organists and conductors develop a broad knowledge of the Western sacred and concert musical repertories, from both performance and analytical viewpoints. As part of their core training, students will also practice complementary professional skills, such as conducting children's choruses and using the latest technologies for interdisciplinary presentation. Conductors and organists should be co-creative and interdisciplinary artists, able to engage with other artists and with the concerns of the community and culture at large. READ MORE.....
We offer full-tuition waivers to all students admitted to the program. These are renewable each year to students in good standing. In addition, generous stipends are available and are awarded to most students.
For information regarding the application process, contact Janet Rudasics at the Sacred Music office at jrudasic@nd.edu or by phone (574-631-5349).