Sacred Music at Notre Dame

09/09/2026

"Influencers Through the Ages"

Kola Owolabi, Professor of Organ and Interim Director of Sacred Music at Notre Dame, performs works by César Franck, Jeanne Demessieux, Fela Sowande, Libby Larsen and David Hurd on the Wayne & Diana Murdy organ, built by Paul Fritts, 2017 (IV/70) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Sunday, September 13th, 8PM
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame

Admission is free (no tickets required)

https://sacredmusic.nd.edu/news-and-events/events/2026/09/13/kola-owolabi-faculty-organ-concert-sacred-music-at-notre-dame-influencers-through-the-ages/

09/07/2026

Our first colloquium of the academic year featured Dr. Hank Bauer, Director of Music at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane, WA. Dr. Bauer also serves as Vice-Chair of the Director of Music Ministries Committee for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

In his presentation, Dr. Bauer discussed many aspects of working as a cathedral music director, from planning music for liturgy to working with amateur and professional musicians, other members of the parish staff and clergy. He concluded with some advice about applying for full-time parish and cathedral positions. We had a small reception afterwards.

09/06/2026

This semester, Professor Jon Bullock is teaching a DMA Seminar, "Music in Christian Mission." Many of our students were interested in the course, which has ended up with a robust group of both masters and doctoral students.

This past Friday, students discussed a series of historical shifts in the Church’s understanding of what it means to fulfill the Great Commission. They also grappled with changing approaches toward music’s special role in the liturgy, in evangelization efforts, and in Christian life more broadly, comparing and contrasting perspectives on sacred music as they appear in the 20th and 21st-century writings of three popes (Popes Pius X, Pius XII, and Francis).

09/05/2026

We've made it through two weeks of the semester. This week in organ studio class, we discussed Georg Kauffmann's Harmonische Seelenlust (1733). This collection of chorale preludes is important because Kauffmann gives detailed registrations for many of the pieces, which have broadened our understanding of 18th century Central German practice. Kauffmann also includes settings for accompanying the congregation, which document the practice of improvising Zwischenspiele (short interludes) between each phrase of the hymn. On November 20, we will be performing some of these pieces in a collaborative concert at Hillsdale College, MI, involving the Hillsdale College Choral Scholars and some of their organ students.

Our DMA student Nick Schefstad is also pictured below, performing J. S. Bach's Pièce d'orgue, BWV 572.

09/02/2026

Join us Friday, September 4th, from 11:30–12:30 p.m. in 136 O’Neill Hall/LaBar Performance Hall for our first SMND Colloquium of the year! This event is free and open to the public.

For more info:
https://sacredmusic.nd.edu/news-and-events/events/2026/09/04/smnd-colloquium-dr-henry-bauer-a-career-as-a-director-of-music-in-a-catholic-church-and-tips-for-applying-for-a-position/

09/01/2026

We had a wonderful start to the semester last week! Excited for all the performances and collaborations in the months ahead!

08/28/2026

We are still accepting walk-in auditions for the 2026-27 season! 🎶

Audition Times:
Wednesday, September 2 at 3:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday, September 3 at 3:00pm-4:00pm
Sunnyside Presbyterian Church
115 S. Francis St. South Bend, IN

Learn more at childrenschoir.nd.edu

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08/26/2026

Come visit us at Art Attack 2026!

Thursday August 27, 2026, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
West Lawn, Walsh Family Hall of Architecture
Rain Location: DPAC

https://youtu.be/ydukAknLgRc?si=Yl9CP4nI7gohaxoj

Want to immerse yourself in the campus arts scene? Join us for Notre Dame’s annual student arts crawl - Art Attack! Stop by to experience a showcase of student talent across spatial, performing, visual, and literary arts, participate in interactive artmaking, learn about job, fellowship, and audition opportunities, and enjoy free food from local food trucks. This year also marks the inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial, an international arts festival rooted in the creative spirit, intellectual energy, and iconic traditions of Notre Dame and our region.

For first-time and returning students, undergraduate and graduate alike, Art Attack is an opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and network with peers, faculty, and staff. Whether you're considering a major or minor in the arts, curious about courses, or looking for student arts organizations, Art Attack is the place to connect.

Art Attack, the annual University of Notre Dame student art crawl, ...

08/26/2026

SMND Colloquium: Dr. Henry Bauer, "A Career as a Director of Music in a Catholic Church and Tips for Applying for a Position"

Friday September 4th, 11:30-12:30pm
136 O'Neill Hall - LaBar Performance Hall (west side)

This event is free and open to the public

For more info:
https://sacredmusic.nd.edu/news-and-events/events/2026/09/04/smnd-colloquium-dr-henry-bauer-a-career-as-a-director-of-music-in-a-catholic-church-and-tips-for-applying-for-a-position/

Dr. Henry Bauer, D.M.A., serves as the Director of Music at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane, Washington, where he conducts the Schola Cantorum, Cathedral Choir, and Diocesan Choir. He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Cathedral's Sacred Music Series. Dr. Bauer’s academic background includes a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Sacred Music and choral conducting, as well as a Master of Liturgical Music degree and organ performance, all conferred by The Catholic University of America. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano pedagogy from Butler University. His doctoral dissertation focuses on choral literature tailored to the liturgical year.