Ave Maria University Introduces Sacred Music Minor

Ave Maria University is proud to announce the addition of its newest minor program of study: Sacred Music. Music has been an integral part of university life since the beginning, and sacred music especially has been a characteristic element of the musical experiences one can encounter, namely through singing in the University schola. While students in the music major certainly have experienced and assisted in the creation of the Church's sacred music tradition over the years, the new sacred music minor elevates this noble endeavor to a new level—one in which students are truly formed into the next generation of Catholic sacred music ministers who are faithful to the Church's sacred music tradition and teachings.

"This program will invite students to embrace the Church's teachings on sacred music as an informed scholar and prepare graduates to serve reverently and effectively in parish music positions," said Professor Trenton Phillips O'Neil, Director of Sacred Music. "All music students are necessarily involved in making sacred music while at AMU, but having this additional distinction communicates to pastors everywhere that if they want to see a renewal of faith through Beauty and the promotion of the Church's rich musical heritage in the Mass, it will be an AMU graduate who will get the job done."

The new minor includes five courses in Gregorian chant, church music leadership, sacred music doctrine, and other philosophical, theological, or historical aspects of music and ministry. It also involves being a member of the University schola and completing a sacred music internship at a local parish.

Pope Saint John Paul II said in his 2003 Chirograph on Sacred Music that "The music tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value." Echoing his words and affirming the Church's conviction that sacred music expresses the deep meaning of the sacred texts of the liturgy and disposes the faithful to receive the fruits of grace, this new minor invites our students to enter more fully into the beauty, dignity, and purpose of the Church's musical traditions. We pray through the intercession of St. Gregory the Great and St. Cecilia, patrons of sacred music, for the success of this program!

The sacred music minor will launch in the fall 2026 semester. To learn more about course details and registration, email Professor O'Neil at Trenton.ONeil@avemaria.edu.