“History of Sacred Music" will be taught by J. Michael Thompson.  This is a ten-week course exploring the choral music which has been created over the ages for the enrichment of the liturgy and the praise of almighty God. The course is intended to demonstrate the vast riches of the patrimony of church music that is available to the music directors of both large and small churches. Emphasis placed on the correct informed historical performance and the liturgical positioning of the pieces covered in the course. It is structured according to the liturgical year. 
 
Students who choose to audit the course will receive all lectures but cannot participate in live course discussions or receive instructor feedback on their work.  Auditing a course does not satisfy SMIA certification track requirements.