Teaching

Doug Schneider is committed to handing on what he himself has received musically.  As a teacher, he believes strongly in traditional European pedagogical approaches, specifically the rigorous technical approach which Marcel Dupré at the Paris Conservatory used in the training of organists and pianists.  Mr. Schneider himself practices what he preaches by a daily half hour warm-up on scales and arpeggios alone.  He also personally cycles through the complete works which Bach wrote for harpsichord once monthly, and the Chopin Etudes once weekly.  One of his favorite philosophies which he instills in his students is “Technique is the basis of Artistry.”

He was for a decade a full-time faculty member of the School of Music at Portland State University.  He has also served as an adjunct faculty member as a staff accompanist and coach at Northwestern University (IL), DePaul University (IL), Lawrence University (WI), and the Bel Canto Northwest International Vocal Institute (OR).  He has also taught at the Birch Creek Summer Music Camp (WI), the Lawrence University Arts Academy (WI), and the Sacred Liturgy Conference (OR).  Currently he teaches music and conducts the choirs at the Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley (Mount Angel, OR).

Doug is available for coaching and teaching instrumentalists (piano, organ, saxophone) and vocalists in all genres, from Gregorian Chant to jazz, and every style in between.  Of additional note is the language/diction coaching which he offers for singers in Italian, German, and French, continuing what he taught throughout his career at Portland State University.