Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The choirs and orchestra of the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present "Lessons and Carols" on Sunday, December 15, at 5 p.m. This traditional service combines readings and music to narrate the Christmas story. The event is free and open to the public, with donations welcomed to support musical initiatives for students at the Newman Center and the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.

The Newman Center's choral ensembles are entirely student-led, featuring performances organized, directed, and sung by current UNL students. These groups aim to bring the Church's rich musical traditions to parishioners and visitors. Different ensembles perform for various liturgies.

The St. Gregory the Great Schola is a men's ensemble that sings plainchant and simple polyphony in Latin and Greek, focusing on Gregorian chant basics. The St. Thomas Aquinas Chamber Choir, an audition-only group of 16 singers, performs technically challenging sacred music works in multiple harmonies. This choir also participates in events across dioceses to spread their love for sacred music.

The Newman Praise and Worship Team specializes in contemporary Christian music for outreach events within the diocese. Meanwhile, the Newman Choir, the largest ensemble, includes singers of all skill levels performing a diverse repertoire from medieval hymns to modern compositions.

Nikolas Barger leads these efforts as director of music. He became an organist at the Newman Center in 2018 while still in high school and later founded the St. Thomas Aquinas Chamber Choir in 2023. His vision has attracted attention from other Newman Centers across the U.S., aiming to deepen students' appreciation for sacred music.

“I think it’s a perfect environment to teach young people of the beauty and the traditions that the Church contains,” Barger stated. “Young people are on fire for the faith, and we have found a profound love for giving them resources to explore the treasure trove of musical repertoire that the Church has held at the pinnacle of her liturgy for centuries.”

Under Barger's leadership, participation in choral programs has grown significantly with new ensembles like St. Gregory the Great Schola, Newman Choir, St. Cecilia String Orchestra, and Newman Brass Ensemble forming.

Barger noted that students' dedication reflects a broader mission: preserving sacred music's timeless beauty while engaging future generations of singers and listeners.