NPM Chicago Banquet
We will honor our Chicago Musician of the Year, Alan Hommerding, at this year’s banquet. As 2026 also marks a jubilee year of St. Francis of Assisi and the parish is a national pilgrimage site, we will celebrate the occasion with Sung Vespers in his honor, featuring music composed by Alan. It promises to be a truly joyful and memorable evening!
Workshop: Chant in Modern Liturgy
Chant-beginners and chant-veterans alike - join us in the architectural and acoustic beauty of historic St. Josaphat Church for a unique opportunity to elevate your liturgical experience. Learn to sing and direct the beautiful biblical texts of the liturgy in English and Latin, absorb the unique musical history of the Catholic Church's heritage, and improve your chant notation fluency and vocal delivery.
Bonus invitation to stay to observe the five-voice professional St. Josaphat Schola rehearse (4pm-5:20pm) and sing the 5:30pm Mass, featuring chant, Renaissance polyphony and familiar hymnody.
48th National Convention
Join our colleagues from across the country for the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians in 2026! This year’s theme, “Forever We Will Sing,” takes its inspiration from Psalm 89. NPM’s work to foster the art of musical liturgy has shaped Catholic worship since the Second Vatican Council — and our work is not done yet.
Join us at Catholic University of America for 4 days of:
Plenum Addresses – Breakouts
Networking Opportunities – Community
Special Events – National Awards – Exhibits
…and much more.
Hymns of Hope
Join us for a sing-a-long festival of hymns, psalms and sacred songs as we kick-off our NPM Chicago 2024-2025 season.
Music Showcase with ILP and John Angotti
Join ILP and John Angotti for a music showcase on Tuesday, September 27th!
NPM Chicago Summer Social & Banquet
Join us on Monday, July 29th in Hyde Park at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church for our annual banquet. Registration opens Friday, July 14th.
Cross-Cultural Bridge-Building with Hispanic Music Ministries
Cross-Cultural Bridge-Building with Hispanic Music Ministries
Led by Peter Kolar, bilingual composer and GIA Editor for Spanish and Bilingual Resources
Two seemingly different worlds often collide within parish settings when it comes to music ministry. Anglo and Hispanic communities frequently co-occupy the same liturgical space, but with only fraught, if any, interaction. Small misunderstandings can grow into insurmountable ones, and ministerial isolationism is often the result. How can we as musicians break down barriers, connect through life experiences, and ultimately embrace one another in this shared vineyard of service?
As a former Chicagoan now living in a border region, and someone who moves fluidly between “both worlds,” Peter Kolar will lead us in an exploration of the underlying causes of these divisions, and seek to build bridges between them. Don’t miss what will be a vibrant and fruitful discussion for our chapter on this important topic!
Registration is free, but please RSVP by Tuesday, April 16
Lunch and Fellowship: Reflecting on Christmas and Preparing for Lent
In preparation for Lent, you are invited to join with fellow NPM Chicago members to reflect on the Christmas season, share ideas for Lent and Triduum, and gather together as a Chicagoland pastoral music community as we begin this new year.
Join us on Friday, February 2nd at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Northbrook. We’ll begin at 11:30am, followed by lunch served at noon. During lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to share perspectives from Christmas, ideas in preparation for the upcoming seasons, and connect with fellow pastoral musicians in the area.
11:30am: Doors open
12:00pm: Lunch is served
12:15pm: Fellowship, discussion, and networking with Chicagoland pastoral musicians and liturgists
Registration is free, but please RSVP by Wednesday, January 31st.
Hymns of Light and Life
Join us for a sing-a-long festival of hymns, psalms and sacred songs as we kick-off our 2023-2024 season of Concerts Under the Dome. Co-sponsored by NPM Chicago and led by Schola Clementis, this event is sure to lift your spirit and fill your heart with song. Reception to follow.
Chicago Summer Gathering
Join us for a casual get-together at the beautiful St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood—parking is easy and free, and there are great transit options as well!
6:00pm: Gathering and optional church tour
6:30pm: Opening prayer
7:00pm: Outdoor reception (weather-permitting)
Snacks, along with beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options will be provided.
Special thanks to Michael Ruzicki, Director of Music and Liturgy, and Fr. Manuel Dorantes, Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parishes for graciously hosting NPM Chicago.
Registration is recommended and helps us gauge how many refreshments to purchase—click below to RSVP for the event.
Taking CTA to St. Mary of the Lake
Take the CTA Red Line to either Wilson or Sheridan for the most direct access to the church; the CTA Purple Line also stops at Wilson during weekday rush-hour services.
Suburban Summer Gathering
Join us for a casual get-together at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs—parking is easy and free, and a great central location for those wanting to get together in the western suburbs.
6:00pm: Gathering and optional church tour
6:30pm: Opening prayer
7:00pm: Outdoor reception (weather-permitting)
Snacks, along with beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options will be provided.
Special thanks to Jessica Koch, Director of Music of St. John of the Cross and former Chapter Director of NPM Chicago for graciously hosting NPM Chicago.
Registration is recommended and helps us gauge how many refreshments to purchase—click below to RSVP for the event.