Beyond the Bookends
". . . help to elevate the liturgy through music which unites the faithful to each other in worship and lifts their hearts and minds to God through sung prayer."
Many traditional academic programs of organ study focus on learning works of organ literature to play as preludes, postludes, and/or in recital. Some graduates of these programs can play extremely challenging repertoire but do not know how to approach the hymns and service music which are most integral to playing for a liturgy. The "bookends" of the prelude and postlude enhance worship, but an organist who does not know how to lead and support congregational and choral singing is at an extreme disadvantage. Without these skills, he or she cannot completely foster the "full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful" through music. Conversely, an organist who masters the skills of service playing, including playing hymns and improvising in a liturgical manner, will help to elevate the liturgy through music which unites the faithful to each other in worship and lifts their hearts and minds to God through sung prayer. The Sacred Music Institute of America's curriculum fosters service playing skills in our students as a primary skill. While they also are required to develop an extensive repertoire of prelude and postlude "bookends," we believe that success as an organist involves much more than just learning solo organ repertoire.
Are Sacred Music Degrees Necessary?
"J. S. Bach didn't need a music degree. Do You?"
​In contemporary society, the expected training path for musicians often includes one or more academic degrees. However, many of the composers whose works make up the traditional classical canon of works students study during the completion of a music degree didn't hold such degrees themselves!
J. S. Bach, today considered one of the great masters of Baroque music, did not hold an academic degree and received most of his musical training from relatives. Antonio Vivaldi attended seminary and was ordained a priest but also did not hold a music degree. Johannes Brahms studied piano and composition with private teachers and was only granted an honorary degree at the height of his career. Even the great Mozart just had a little formal academic study at the Accademia Filarmonica but was principally taught by his father. As these examples illustrate, many great musicians received their training through private study and/or mentorship with working musicians.
The Sacred Music Institute of America melds this longstanding tradition of individualized, personal instruction with modern technology. Through online study, our students can work with seasoned professionals anywhere the internet can reach. Unlike many other sacred music training programs, SMIA does not require students to hold a prior degree in music. While our students typically have prior musical experience, previous formal academic study is not a prerequisite. SMIA's certification programs encompass many of the same subject areas as a bachelor's degree in music, including theory, music history, repertoire surveys, and applied lessons; however, they are specifically tailored towards church music. Therefore, students who do hold degrees in music education, piano performance, jazz, or other similar fields can also benefit from our course of study.
Upon completion of their course of study, our students receive certification as music directors, organists, cantors, or choir directors through the Institute itself. No, this isn't an academic degree, but it provides a practical and thorough foundation to work in the field of sacred music. Bach didn't need a music degree. Do you?