Southern Nebraska Register
The choirs and orchestra of the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) will present “Lessons and Carols” Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
The centuries-old service walks the listener through the Christmas story, listening to readings and music. The event is free and open to the public. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door to support the continued efforts to bring music to the students of the Newman Center and the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.
The choral ensembles at the Newman Center are entirely student-driven, with performances organized, directed, and sung by current UNL students. Together, they bring the rich musical traditions of the Church to parishioners and visitors alike. Varied groups sing for different liturgies.
The St. Gregory the Great Schola is a men’s ensemble that sings plainchant and simple polyphony in Latin and Greek, preserving some of the oldest forms of sacred music. The ensemble focuses on learning and studying the basics of Gregorian chant and semiology.
The St. Thomas Aquinas Chamber Choir, an audition-only ensemble, was founded to create an ensemble for young people to learn and grow in appreciation of the “Music of the Ages.” The ensemble of 16 singers tackles technically challenging works in sacred music, singing in four, eight, and even 16-part harmony. The ensemble often sings for different events throughout the diocese as well, and at times will travel to other dioceses to grow their mission to spread their love of sacred music and liturgy to Newman Centers across the United States.
The Newman Praise and Worship Team focuses on contemporary Christian music, singing at special outreach events both at the Newman Center and across the diocese.
The Newman Choir, the largest of the groups, includes singers of all skill levels. The mixed-voice choir performs a broad repertoire, ranging from medieval hymns to modern compositions.
Leading the efforts is Nikolas Barger, director of music. In 2018 – while still in high school – Barger became an organist at the Newman Center, later going on to conduct several ensembles and founding the St. Thomas Aquinas Chamber Choir in the spring of 2023. His vision to build the choral program at the Newman Center into a space where students can deepen their love and understanding of sacred music has gained the attention of many Newman Centers and parishes around the United States.
“I think it’s a perfect environment to teach young people of the beauty and the traditions that the Church contains,” he said. “Young people are on fire for the faith, and we have found a profound love for giving them the resources to explore the treasure trove of the musical repertoire that the Church has held at the pinnacle of her liturgy for centuries.”
Since Barger was appointed director of music, participation in the choral program has grown significantly, and four other ensembles have taken shape: the St. Gregory the Great Schola, the Newman Choir, the St. Cecilia String Orchestra, and the Newman Brass Ensemble.
Barger said the students’ dedication reflects a broader mission: preserving and celebrating the timeless beauty of sacred music while engaging the next generation of singers and listeners.
Alexander Angel contributed to this report.
