Education Programs

The objective of Musica Sacra’s Educational Outreach program is to engage young, New York City-based students in professional choral music of the highest caliber.

Led by Assistant Music Director Michael Sheetz, students in Title 1 schools across the five boroughs experience interactive workshops with professional Musica Sacra singers.  These 50-minute presentations focus on musical features of Handel’s Messiah, which the group performs every year at Carnegie Hall. Each presentation is intended to increase understanding of the music and of the performing arts field in general.  Mr. Sheetz consults with each participating teacher and adjusts information to the age range and musical level of the students. Following the workshop, all students and guardians are provided tickets to Musica Sacra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah where they have an opportunity to hear the classroom concepts applied in a live performance.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Musica Sacra partnered with the Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts in Harlem to enhance distance learning through monthly virtual singing workshops. These workshops were led by Michael Sheetz and Musica Sacra board member Jamet Pittman and centered on vocal development, repertoire exploration, and the creation of original compositions to be sung by Musica Sacra choristers.

Musica Sacra maintains a long-term partnership with the Newark Boys Chorus School. These remarkably talented singers receive workshops with Dr. Sheetz and Musica Sacra singers and perform pre-concert recitals at Musica Sacra’s concerts at St. John the Divine.