Musica Sacra San Antonio was created to provide notable, spiritually enriching, offerings of choral music in special
religious settings.
The inclusion in our programs of professional singers and musicians provides support for local artists, while helping us develop a broad audience of listeners for mutual enjoyment and cultural understanding.
Musica Sacra San Antonio was created in 2010 by Dr. Robert M. Finster as a Schola Cantorum in residence at Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church in San Antonio.
Evensongs were presented that drew from Anglican, Sarum, Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox rites and music.
MSSA continues to be noted for its high liturgic
Musica Sacra San Antonio was created in 2010 by Dr. Robert M. Finster as a Schola Cantorum in residence at Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church in San Antonio.
Evensongs were presented that drew from Anglican, Sarum, Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox rites and music.
MSSA continues to be noted for its high liturgical standards, stylistically thoughtful musical interpretations, and sometimes challenging, adventurous repertoire.
Upon Finster's retirement in 2016, MSSA Associate Director Dr. Owen Duggan assumed leadership and helped expand the group's range to include larger sacred masterworks such as C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat, Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass, John Rutter's Requiem, and John Tavener's Ikon of Light. Duggan also brought the choir to alternate venues such as Sacred Heart Chapel at OLLU, and Temple Beth El in San Antonio.
Musica Sacra has a typical membership of 16 auditioned singers, augmented at times depending on works performed.
MSSA partners with places of worship, schools, and arts foundations, as well as area businesses in order to fulfill our mission in the community.
Dr. Owen Duggan has been with Musica Sacra San Antonio since 2014, joining first as bass-section-leader/associate-director under founding director Robert M. Finster. In 2016, Duggan was appointed Music Director of MSSA. He holds additional positions as Music Teacher/Director at the San Antonio Academy and Music Director at Northwood Presbyterian Church. He holds degrees from McGill University (Theory/Voice), University of North Texas (Voice/Theory), and University of Texas at Austin (Applied Music), and he has undertaken post-graduate studies in choral-orchestral conducting at the Eastman School of Music. He has previously served on the music faculty at San Jacinto College (Houston), San Antonio College, University of Texas at San Antonio, and Our Lady of the Lake University. An accomplished classical singer Duggan has performed with the Austin Civic Chorus, San Antonio Lyric Opera, Musical Bridges, Musical Offerings, San Antonio College Artist Series, Coronation (Fiesta San Antonio), Texas Bach Choir, and San Antonio Chamber Choir.
Duggan's choral compositions are published by Colla Voce Music.
Prior to his work with Musica Sacra San Antonio,
Dr. Robert Finster (1939-2020) established the Cantata Singers in Elmira, New York (now in its 50th season), Cathedral Singers in Denver, Colorado, and Texas Bach Choir, San Antonio. For eighteen seasons he was conductor of Ars Musica Chicago while serving on the faculty of the Chicago Theological Seminary. In addition, he served on the Presiding Bishop's Standing Commission on Church Music (ECUSA). Dr. Finster's expertise in orthodox liturgical practice helped distinguish him as a highly regarded church musician.