Not a direct answer to this question, but there is some discussion of conservatory and educational options here.

My personal belief is that you should go where you think the faculty are the best for you. That's what will make the difference between enduring your degree and enjoying the process. (I've done both in non-musical areas.)

The difference in the name of the graduate major isn't that important. In the long run, you'll just say, "I have a master's," not "I have a master's in LITURGICAL or SACRED music." Fr. Anthony Ruff is at St. John's and is certainly both chant and liturgy oriented. I think you can pick up everything you need as a non-cleric to know about liturgy in the course of a music degree (a great deal of which is the ability to talk a good game). And in my part of the country, liturgists without strong musical ability are being phased out as the churches tighten up budgets and priests reclaim their liturgical authority (admittedly with mixed results).

And how I wish my user ID were expiredcornpop - that is so memorable.

I hold a master's degree in sacred music from CUA (M.Mus. Sacred Music), which I earned in 2005. The degree was, until 2004, called a master's degree in liturgical music. The degree title was changed (I think) because liturgical music is a sub-category of sacred music. While all liturgical music is sacred music, not all sacred music is liturgical music (for example, some sacred music is suitable for concert use but not necessarily for liturgical use). The current title of the degree reflects what the program offers: solid training in liturgical music, as well as in other various forms of sacred music throughout history.

I found the required coursework in liturgical theology to be more than sufficient (three graduate level courses). In addition to the liturgical theology courses, most of the other required courses offered by the music department are not just about music, but integrate liturgical theology, history, and practice.

Overall, I found CUA's program to be an outstanding preparation to my work as an organist/music director. I would highly recommend it.

I'm inclined to agree with MJBallou's ideas on this. Faculty is huge.

A serious question- is there any MSM or MA in lit. music program in the U.S. that ranks alongside even mid-level music programs at secular universities or conservatories? What are audition standards like, etc.? I guess I ask because, though it sounded like a great idea to me, there is no substitution for rigorous musical training.

(Most of that has to do with overall background and having an undergraduate degree or equivalent in music, I suppose.)

I went to CUA to inquire about their master's program and have to say I was not impressed with the music program overall, so I figured I could do better by getting an MM. In fact a priest at CUA recommended just that. Why not study liturgy with a great mentor- or a few of them- and go for the better music programs?

Considering developments in liturgy and sacred music these days, maybe there are some up-and-coming great music programs at Catholic universities. I would love that!

Thanks to all of you for your evaluation of ND and CUA's programs. I am also in the midst of researching a sacred music degree. I don't know if anybody will know much about this, but are there any strong Masters-level programs in sacred music in England? I'm working in the Anglican church and would love to study in the COE choral tradition. I've seen a few programs here and there (Bangor, Leeds), but don't know what might be considered a strong program. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a list of accredited sacred music degree programs.

The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

The only Roman Catholic schools with approved sacred music degree programs listed are Aquinas Institute of Theology and University of Notre Dame Department of Theology.

Where were you and your good advice in 1965?

What I'm really getting at is that schools like Catholic University, Duquesne University, Westminster Choir College, and Yale are not on the list even though they offer a sacred music degree.

Does it matter? If not, then why?

Jeffrey, CUA, etc. are not on the list because their degrees are not conferred by their respective departments/schools of theology, which seems to be the only interest of the Association of Theological Schools. It makes a difference.

Personally, I wouldn't put much stock in this accreditation program when it comes to music degrees.

I would like to add some more information regarding the MSM at Notre Dame, since I'm familiar with where it has been and where it is heading:

It is indeed very strong academically in musicological, liturgical, and theological studies.

It also has equally strong faculty now in all three concentrations of musical performance: Craig Cramer in organ, visiting faculty Carmen Tellez, Tom Merrill, & Nancy Menk in choral conducting, and Stephen Lancaster in voice.

There is no composition concentration currently.

To comment more on some of the perceived weaknesses:

1) There is no split between "traditionalists" and "modernists" among the music department faculty and theology faculty. All academic faculty (musical and theological) are experts in their fields and encourage the highest possible standards from the students in their respective studies.

2) There is no hostility on the part of any involved MSM faculty members towards RC theology and tradition.

3) Placement duties are not assigned arbitrarily, HOWEVER, most students' practical church ministry placements are within Campus Ministry which is a completely separate and differently-governed entity from the MSM degree program. Campus ministry contains ensembles which range from traditional to contemporary and thus students may indeed work in an ensemble which does not resemble their preference. This is viewed as a strength of the program because it encourages students to interface with the wider range of musical style that they will encounter when they graduate and serve in parishes.

There are also a handful of students whose placements are in local parishes and as assistant rectors in dormitories. The Mass is celebrated in each dorm chapel and students assigned to these chapels prepare the music.

"You can always pour drinks if it doesn't work out."

Or stay on as a church musician and drink them. A good friend also works for the church. We agreed that we thought much more highly of the institution before we started working for it. It sometimes looks much better from the outside.

ND grads- There's one voice teacher for all MSM students? How many students are there? Are MSM students required to take vocal pedagogy and/or give recitals of any length (in addition to juries)?