The chorale showcases the remarkable vocal talent in our region, counting among its 150 members participants from more than 30 communities in northeast Wisconsin.

Since 1974, the Dudley Birder Chorale of St. Norbert College has set the standard for choral excellence in its performance of great masterworks, holiday favorites and toe-tapping popular favorites. With 150 mixed voices, the chorale’s membership ranges in age from 18 through seniors. Members of the chorale come from more than 30 communities in northeast Wisconsin. Named for its dynamic founder, Dudley Birder, the chorale builds upon a long and distinguished tradition of choral music at St. Norbert College.

The chorale performs three to four concerts annually, bringing its artistry to thousands of Wisconsin residents each year. Many people experience the chorale through its annual All Saints & Veterans Day Concert at St. Norbert College’s Walter Theatre or the Holiday Pops Concert at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts. The chorale routinely attracts internationally acclaimed soloists to the region.

Visit the St. Norbert Abbey and listen to some of the most talented organists from around the world perform in this renowned memorial concert series.

Gain an appreciation of dance through this nonprofit organization’s presentation of various performances with talented Green Bay-area dancers.

The Evergreen Theater’s Young Actors Stage provides a place for young people in the community to experiment with creativity in shows for the whole family.

Evergreen Theater’s Main Stage showcases several performances each year.

This troupe of highly skilled student singers delivers performances throughout the year, highlighting Broadway’s biggest hits and, in winter, beloved holiday favorites.

You won’t find many events as satisfying as an evening (or matinee) with St. Norbert College’s Knights on Broadway. Whether they’re performing Broadway’s biggest hits or captivating you with holiday favorites, this highly talented, high-energy troupe of student singers delivers memorable performances.

It’s professional-quality, cabaret-style music theatre … right here in the Green Bay area. Knights on Broadway shows are affordably priced. They’re a budget-friendly good time for couples, families, groups and social organizations.

The St. Norbert College Community Band offers select area musicians the opportunity to perform under the direction of St. Norbert’s own faculty members.

The St. Norbert Community Band was founded in 1991 by Fred Schmidt, retired director of bands at St. Norbert College. Now under the direction of Philip Klickman (Music), the college’s current director of bands and assistant professor of music, the Community Band performs concerts each fall and spring in the Walter Theatre.

Among the players are St. Norbert faculty, as well as professional musicians and educators from across the region.

For more information about taking part in Community Band events or to explore becoming a member, please contact Philip Klickman at 920-403-3114 or philip.klickman@snc.edu.

Every year, the music department provides a wide selection of concerts and recitals, including faculty performances, student ensembles, student recitals and guest artists.

Make music with us – everyone is welcome!

At St. Norbert College, we believe that music is more than a skill to master and is an integral part of who we are as humans. We use music to express individual feelings, communal values and societal conventions. When you study music theory, history and performance at SNC, you’ll connect time, language and culture. A thorough grounding in music lays the foundation for a life more deeply lived.

Everyone is welcome to make music at St. Norbert College. Whether you are pursuing a degree or you simply enjoy music, all incoming first-year students are welcome to audition for a music ensemble scholarship. Perform with one of our ensembles to reduce the costs of tuition. Come and join us! 

Here are three ways to audition for the 2025-26 academic year:

• In-person audition: Nov. 22, 2025
• In-person audition: Jan. 24, 2026
• Virtual video audition

Academic paths within the music major

Unlike many music programs, an audition is not required to be a music major or minor.

At SNC, you can earn a degree in music education, music performance or liberal arts with a music emphasis.

For those majoring in music education, you will be certified to teach all areas of music (choral, instrumental, and elementary general music) for grades K-12.

For anyone majoring in music performance or music-liberal arts, these paths of study allow room to consider adding a minor or even another major.  On that note, SNC now offers a pre-music therapy concentration that can be added on to the music liberal arts major. It includes coursework in areas such as psychology and biology that will transfer to music therapy equivalency programs.

Music majors who are interested in working for arts organizations or owning private teaching studios should consider the Arts Management certificate program. This experience will supplement your music major with courses in business and an internship with one of Northeast Wisconsin's premier arts organizations.

Each academic year, the theatre department gives student performers the opportunity to perform in two or more student productions, as well as a full-length musical put on by student-run Knight Theatre.

Find your cue in theatre studies at SNC

Why is the theatre so popular? Maybe it’s because when you sit in the audience and watch actors on a stage, you share an experience that becomes part of you. Maybe it’s because of those magical moments when you remember all of your lines as if you weren’t acting at all.

St. Norbert College’s theatre studies program will prompt you to explore the power of imagery and the spoken word within the context of history, politics, philosophy and religion. Whether you act, direct, write or design sets, SNC is a place where you’ll discover theatre as a way to help you understand the breadth and depth of humanity.

Academic paths within the major

At SNC, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre studies, or you can minor in the field by completing six courses in the theatre studies curriculum. As a theatre studies student, you may qualify for the Stephen O’Toole Theatre Scholarship. This need-based scholarship recognizes demonstrated interest and skill in theatre.

Elevate your theatre studies education

If performing is one of your greatest thrills, you’ll have plenty of chances to put yourself out there at SNC. We stage two student shows each academic year, with a range of roles available. The student-run Knight Theatre presents a full-length musical. Students direct the show, act in it, design and construct the set, plan the lighting, and manage the marketing.

St. Norbert College Summer Music Theatre has been an area institution for better than a half-century, presenting the finest musicals and featuring top local talent.

Area high school actors, singers, dancers and orchestra members present a musical each summer, under the direction of St. Norbert College faculty members and others.

The Youth Orchestra Program at St. Norbert College, formerly the Green Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra, is open to students from Grade 4 to age 21. The Youth Orchestra Program features three orchestras: String Orchestra, Philharmonia and Youth Symphony.

Youth Orchestra Program of St. Norbert College

The Youth Orchestra Program at St. Norbert College, formerly the Green Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra, is open to students from grade 4 to age 21. The Youth Orchestra Program features three orchestras:

• In the String Orchestra, performers learn orchestral fundamentals (proper bowing, following a conductor, basic technique). Open to students in grades 4 through 8 who study violin, viola, cello and bass. Students should be able to play a class C solo and be able to read music at a grade 1.5 level.
• The Philharmonia provides a full orchestra experience for students in grades 8 through 12. It includes strings, winds, brass and percussion.
• The Youth Symphony is an advanced experience that engages students from grade 10 through age 22 in the study of classical orchestra repertoire at a very high level.

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Sundays from mid-September through mid-November, and again from mid-January through mid-March. Rehearsals are held in the Abbot Pennings Hall of Fine Arts on the St. Norbert campus. View rehearsal times.

Auditions

Auditions are generally held in the spring. However, we are always looking for talented musicians to join us. If you would like to schedule an audition, please contact Youth Orchestra manager Audrey Nowak at 920-403-1354 or audrey.nowak@snc.edu.

Performances

The Youth Orchestra Program at St. Norbert College performs at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.

Questions?

For more information about the program, visit the Youth Orchestra Program Weebly website or contact Audrey Nowak at 920-403-1354 or audrey.nowak@snc.edu.

For opportunities to partner with or support the Youth Orchestra Program, please contact Kent Paulsen at 920-403-3087 or kent.paulsen@snc.edu