Sacred Music

As a lifelong Roman Catholic, Doug Schneider is very much committed to the restoration of sacred liturgical music as envisioned by the mind of the Church.  He grew up during the tumultuous liturgical times of the 70s and 80s, and in the 90s he began to find himself placed in roles of leadership within the musical life of the Church, beginning with his first significant position as Assistant Organist at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral.  While at Holy Name, he conducted the women’s schola, was the assistant conductor for the principal choirs, and played the organ for many Masses, weddings, and funerals.  Upon moving to Oregon, Mr. Schneider served as the Principal Organist at Portland’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for 7 years.  He is currently the Director of Sacred Music/Organist at Saint Joseph Church in Salem, a position he has now held for 13 years.  At Saint Joseph Church, he oversees an extensive music program for the largest parish in Oregon.

Some highlights of Mr. Schneider’s life in sacred music include serving as the organist for the installation of His Excellency Alexander Sample as the Archbishop of Portland in Oregon; performing with Westminster Abbey organist James O’Donnell and Cantores in Ecclesia in the two-organ Messe Solennelle by Jean Langlais; and leading the successful fund-raising and installation of a three manual Casavant pipe organ at St. Joseph’s Church.  He is passionate about renewing sacred music in parishes both large and small, and has trained many organists and music directors who now find themselves in leadership positions within parishes throughout the country.  He is available for workshops and master classes for parishes seeking to improve their liturgical music.  He is also available for weddings and funerals elsewhere, as his own parish schedule would allow.