Sacred Music

Sacred Music
Offered as a minor and certificate

Students may major in music with an emphasis in sacred music or earn a minor or certificate. Grounded in the Christian, Catholic, Benedictine tradition Saint Anselm College, the minor in Sacred Music offers a challenging, well-rounded curriculum preparing you with a strong background in theology and music which you can apply to a vocation in music ministry or graduate study.

At Saint Anselm College, you will enjoy unique opportunities to:

Study historical trends and church teachings on music in worship
Gain practical experience in planning, preparing, and leading music in worship
Develop and deepen performance skills in voice, organ, piano or other instrument with artistic competence and be able to assess your own performance for purposes of continued development
Explore other areas of musical interest, such as composition/arranging, in preparation for music ministry
Conduct musical ensembles with attention to artistic concerns
Know the field of music study; use its technical vocabulary and common approaches; describe current issues and significant artistic works
Work effectively with others and demonstrate respect for them
Learn in a curriculum grounded in Christian, Catholic, Benedictine values that you can apply to your career and your life

Theology Department

Fine Arts Department

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Music has always meant a great deal to me and being able to study it through different courses such as music theory has given me a solid technical foundation. Sacred Music has given me a greater appreciation into how music fits into our identity as Catholics and the fundamental teachings of our faith.

— Mariana Stauble ’26

Opportunities to Build Essential Skills

Sacred Music students can choose a discipline of study to gain a hands-on experience. Each student must successfully participate in a semester-long music ministry practicum within a parish community chosen to suit their particular vocational interests.

Disciplines include:

Organ
Keyboard
Voice
Conducting
Composition
other instrument

Facilities

The Dana Center for the Performing Arts is a premier arts venue in southern New Hampshire featuring theater, music, and dance performances throughout the year.

Home to the college’s music and dance program, the Dana Center is home to several rehearsal spaces for music majors as well as four Steinway pianos including one in the main theater for on-stage performances. Additional facilities include:

seven piano practice rooms
a larger classroom rehearsal space
a piano lab with 15 keyboards, a Steinway piano, and a George S. Hutchings Opus 347 pipe organ originally built in 1894
a storage room with personal lockers of all sizes for various instruments
a 100-seat lecture and performing art space
Scene shop
582-seat Koonz Theater with state-of-the-art lighting and sound system and orchestra pit
two dressing rooms with restroom facilities and showers

Learn more about the Dana Center →