Prior to coming to St. Joseph’s, Doug Schneider was the organist for seven years at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Portland. Previously, he was the assistant organist/assistant conductor at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, and had also served as the director of music at Chicago’s St. Alphonsus Church. As an organ soloist he has performed in many venues throughout the United States, including the cathedrals of Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Chicago, as well as Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon. He has been featured as an organist with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Symphonic Choir, the Alaska Chamber Singers, the Northwest Boy Choir, Cantores in Ecclesia, and Capella Romana.
Doug is a highly versatile musician with a background that encompasses multiple instruments and genres. As a piano accompanist he has performed over 1000 recitals. He has extensive experience as a harpsichordist, vocalist, clarinetist, and saxophonist. He is equally at home in classical and jazz music, having won a national award from Downbeat magazine for outstanding jazz saxophone performance. He has served on the faculty of the School of Music at Portland State University, and was previously on the adjunct faculty of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
He and wife Shaelyn are blessed with three wonderful children: Catherine, Joseph and John. In his free time Doug enjoys small-scale farming, reading theology, philosophy and history, going to the gym, billiards, and experiencing the many fine NW wines.