Officially approved by the Higher Learning Commission
Answering the Church's call to The Way of Beauty, this college-to-career major is the only undergraduate degree of its kind in Wisconsin. The program features a significant internship at one of the numerous churches in the Green Bay area. Students will perform in ensembles and work towards a capstone recital through applied lessons in organ, piano, and voice. Students will also have the opportunity to practice on the best instrument in the region: the Casavant Frères Organ at St. Norbert Abbey.
A wealth of mentorship opportunities are available: SNC is home to faculty and musicians with decades of music ministry expertise in Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions. The curriculum includes a rigorous course focused specifically on liturgy, called Music of the Roman Catholic Rite, along with music theory, musicianship, history, and core classes in philosophy and theology that are the foundation of every student’s experience at SNC.
SNC offers the Catholic High School Scholarship, which supports students from catholic high schools with $8,000 over their 4 year college career.
In addition to the Sacred Music Major, SNC is proud to be a Catholic college with a robust music education major that features both choral and instrumental emphases, including strings. In addition to fulfilling state requirements, students may complete field experience at Catholic schools.
Our students have the opportunity to perform in music ministry at our campus parish, Old St. Joseph Church. Students regularly perform at the immersive sanctuary of St. Norbert Abbey with Dr. Sarah Parks and the choirs. Students may also ring with Dr. Philip Klickman and the Bell Choir as part of their training in music ministry or as part of their overall musical experience.
The touring Sacred Music Ensemble performs in church, concert, and educational settings. This ensemble is a highly selective chamber group that takes on an ever-growing list of challenging repertoire. For more information about auditioning or scheduling a performance, contact violin professor Dr. Taylor Giorgio.
The Sacred Composition Initiative is a multifaceted effort to build on the centuries-long Catholic music tradition by promoting the creation of new liturgical and concert works written by students, faculty, and commissioned guest composers. For more information, contact composition professor Dr. John Hennecken.
Our faculty and alumni teach in the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) system and we are proud to host educational clinics, such as GRACE Band Day and GRACE Choir Day, as well as Sacred Music Day for HS students.
Grace Majewski '20, Music Education Major
Director of Music and Liturgy at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, Co-chair of Archdiocesan Liturgical Musicians Association
"St. Norbert College has greatly helped me prepare for my role as a Director of Music and Liturgy. I had the opportunity to take a variety of courses to prepare me for the various aspects of my role. The most important part of my job is performing and directing, and I learned so much from applied piano lessons, applied voice lessons, choral conducting, and vocal pedagogy. I also had the opportunity to learn about Catholic Liturgical Documents from my Theology course: The Church, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. In my role, I have been able to use the management skills I learned from being part of St. Norbert's choral ensembles, instrumental ensembles, and the National Association for Music Education."
Tom Lee '25, Piano Performance Major
Assistant Music Ministry Director, Band, and Choir Teacher at Holy Spirt Catholic Middle School
"I really enjoyed every moment as a student in St. Norbert College. SNC helped me a lot to build relationships and experiences, which are the biggest keys for success. I would not be able to start my career as Assistant Music Ministry and Middle School Music Teacher right after my graduation if I didn't get any support from SNC. Church music is really important in my life since that's how I communicate and stay connect with God, and SNC provided me lots of opportunities and relationships which supported me for my current life."
With a PhD in Musicology from Princeton University and degree in organ performance from University of Notre Dame, Dr. Thelen teaches a course on liturgy entitled Music in the Roman Catholic Rite and serves as SNC's Executive Director for Mission Integration.
Holding a DMA from West Virginia University, Dr. Krueger is the piano professor at SNC, as well as Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah, WI and Director of the Green Bay Diocesan Chorale.
Prof. Verkuilen is a Fellow (doctoral equivalent rank) of the American Guild of Organists and teaches organ at SNC. He is also the Organist and Director of the Sanctuary Choir at First United Methodist Church of Green Bay.
Gain professional experience through internships at Catholic churches across the Green Bay area. All are welcome at SNC: opportunities at churches of other denominations are available as well.
September
14 Sacred Music Day
Hosted by Old St. Joseph Church and the Music Department, high school students spend an afternoon learning more about the role of sacred music in the liturgy. Event includes rehearsals, presentations, and ends with Mass at 7:00 PM in Old St. Joes with the participants providing the music for the liturgy.
28 Cantata for the Divine Hours, Abbey Church, 2:00 pm
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Norbert Abbey, this concert features a new composition by Dr. John Hennecken. The work is inspired by the stained glass windows of the church and is based on texts from the liturgy of the hours. The performance will feature soprano soloist Dr. Yi-lan Niu, organ, string quartet, SNC Chamber Singers, and more.
October
17 GRACE Choral Day, Walter Theater, Concert at 1:00 pm.
Dr. Sarah Parks and the SNC Choirs will host a clinic for students from GRACE Schools across the Green Bay Area. The day will conclude with a concert featuring both the GRACE students and SNC Choirs.
24 Parable, Prayer, and Praise: Sacred Choral Music, Abbey Church, 7:00 pm
The Choral Concert features our talented mixed voice (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) ensembles including Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Experience a rich array of sacred music directed by Dr. Sarah Parks.
November
10 SNC Sacred Composition Initiative Concert: Introit, Birder Hall, 7:00 pm
The concert features new music for liturgy written by student composers. The students will write music on the Introits for Lent for performance at this concert and to be later incorporated into masses at Old St. Joseph Church in 2026.
December
5 Festival of Christmas Concert & Dessert Reception, Walter Theatre, 7:00 pm**
The Festival of Christmas is St. Norbert College Music Department's most celebrated event of the year. The vocal & instrumental ensembles will perform a concert filled with jubilant holiday music. After the concert the music continues with the St. Norbert Jazz Band performing at a gourmet dessert reception held in the SNC Michels Commons. Tickets can be purchased online.
6 Brass & Organ Christmas Spectacular, Abbey Church, 1:00 pm Free Will Donations
Join us at the Abbey Church as the St. Norbert Music Department presents the Brass and Organ Christmas Spectacular! This event features the SNC Faculty Brass Ensemble, Organ, Bell Choir, and String Quartet. Free admission with goodwill offerings are encouraged to support the Norbert Ecker Chamber Music Endowment.
