Nicholas Schefstad (BM ’22) is a current Doctor of Musical Arts student at the University of Notre Dame. He recently graduated with a Master of Sacred Music degree in May of 2024. 

Mr. Schefstad participated in a free two-week study abroad tour with graduate student conductors, organists, and vocalists from the University of Notre Dame. Organ students began the tour in Treviso, Italy to explore historical instruments that represent renaissance and baroque prototypes from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century. Nicholas played organs at Chiesa di Santa Caterina, Chiesa di San Nicolò, and Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. Organ students then traveled to Bologna to play two famous Italian instruments at the Basilica di San Petronio. The Lorenzo da Prato organ was built between the years 1471-1475, and the Baldassarre Malamini organ was built in 1596. Both instruments at the Basilica di San Petronio are in original condition and currently playable. Students performed works by Ottavio Bariolla, Christian Erbach, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Michelangelo Rossi, and Bernardo Storace. Students also improvised on the instruments using historical practices in the Italian style. 

The second half of the tour consisted of activities throughout Rome and the Vatican. Nicholas participated in a conducting workshop with Maestro Franz Karl Praßl at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music. The workshop focused on skillsets needed for conducting Gregorian chant in liturgical settings of the Catholic Church. Mr. Schefstad also sang for Mass and vespers with seminarians, religious sisters, and clergy at the institute. Graduate students participated in masterclasses, rehearsals with the Sistine Chapel Choir, organ demonstrations, and sang in many important basilicas and churches throughout Rome. Nicholas also visited the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma to enjoy a performance of Verdi’s Otello. Some highlights of the trip included participating in a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Feast of Corpus Christi and visiting the tomb of St. Cecilia, patroness of musicians.