Academics
Our Faculty
Michael Schmidt
Departments and Positions:
• Director of Choral Music
• Director of Strings
• Theology
• Director of Strings
• Theology
Biography:
Mike joined Episcopal’s faculty as Director of Choral Music in 2022. A native of Pennsylvania, Mike began his music career as church musician at at the age of 12 and has served as Minister of Music and Organist at Christ Lutheran Church (Hellertown, PA) St. Paul Lutheran Church (East Windsor, NJ), and St. John Lutheran Church (Mamaroneck, NY). Prior to joining the Episcopal faculty, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Scarsdale High School (Scarsdale, NY) and Voorhees High School (Glen Gardner, NJ). Mike taught on the voice faculty of Eastern Illinois University and served as the interim director of the University of Illinois Varsity Men’s Glee Club. In addition to his work in church music and choral music education, Mike is the Past-President of the New Jersey American Choral Directors Association and has served on multiple conference committees for the American Choral Directors Association – Eastern Division. Mike has presented interest sessions on choral music and choral music education for the College Music Society, New Jersey American Choral Directors Association, and the New York Music Educators Association, and multiple universities. He is currently a D.M.A. candidate at the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign. His proposed dissertation focuses on secular choral music of Hugo Distler.
Mike joined Episcopal’s faculty as Director of Choral Music in 2022. A native of Pennsylvania, Mike began his music career as church musician at at the age of 12 and has served as Minister of Music and Organist at Christ Lutheran Church (Hellertown, PA) St. Paul Lutheran Church (East Windsor, NJ), and St. John Lutheran Church (Mamaroneck, NY). Prior to joining the Episcopal faculty, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Scarsdale High School (Scarsdale, NY) and Voorhees High School (Glen Gardner, NJ). Mike taught on the voice faculty of Eastern Illinois University and served as the interim director of the University of Illinois Varsity Men’s Glee Club. In addition to his work in church music and choral music education, Mike is the Past-President of the New Jersey American Choral Directors Association and has served on multiple conference committees for the American Choral Directors Association – Eastern Division. Mike has presented interest sessions on choral music and choral music education for the College Music Society, New Jersey American Choral Directors Association, and the New York Music Educators Association, and multiple universities. He is currently a D.M.A. candidate at the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign. His proposed dissertation focuses on secular choral music of Hugo Distler.
Credentials:
B.M., Westminster Choir College
M.A.T., Westminster Choir College
