Your Diocese

JOLIET—Moving his fingers along the keys, the college student would play the piano for hours and hours in his school’s music practice room as he labored to master the instrument. Majoring in music, Nicholas Thomas was also bent on learning to play the organ.

It was common for people in the hallways to hear the classic works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach and other greats streaming from the piano and organ as young Thomas worked to develop his skills on the keyboards.

Now the 52-year-old veteran musician skillfully commands these instruments inside the mammoth Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Not only a performer, Thomas’ artistry lies in the ability to integrate the harmonic blend of musicians’ instruments with the melodic voices of singers that reverberate through the worship space.

An established music educator, choral director and organist, Thomas was selected to receive this year’s St. Genesius Award from Lewis University in Romeoville.

Named in honor of the patron saint of actors and the arts, the annual award is given to a community member who continues to use his or her “totally outstanding” artistic talents to enhance the lives of others, said Carol Wassberg, the coordinator of the Cultural Advisory Board at Lewis University.

Speaking of Thomas, Wassberg said, “He is an excellent educator and distinguished conductor.” She continued, “He has accomplished some very impressive work with his choirs.”

Thomas is expected to receive the honor March 10 during a gala celebration on the university’s main campus, according to Wassberg.

“I’m overwhelmed. It’s really an honor,” said Thomas. The recognition validates the work he has done over the years, he told the Catholic Explorer. “Enhancing the arts is what I wanted to do with my career.”

The performer and music director at the Cathedral of St. Raymond reflected upon his training and career in music that has spanned more than two decades.

Music has had a pivotal place in his life since early childhood. Thomas said he discovered a fondness and aptitude for singing as a boy. He was introduced to singing alongside others as a member of the choir at St. Mary Cathedral Elementary School in Lafayette, Ind.

The future conductor continued honing his skills in junior high school and later as a member of the choir at Thornridge High School in suburban Dolton, he recalled.

“I always enjoyed doing it,” Thomas said, talking about singing. During his high school years, however, he said that he began to recognize that performing in front of people was what he wanted to do with his life. To that end, he pursued performing arts studies in college, garnering a bachelor’s degree in music from Chicago State University in Chicago and ultimately earning a master’s degree in music from Governors State University in University Park.

A husband and father of three and parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Community in Naperville, Thomas has worked for 20 years at the Cathedral of St. Raymond.

The director of the Joliet diocesan Chorale since 1994, Thomas also oversees the music played during diocesan celebrations at the cathedral, including priestly ordinations. The performers in this group hail from faith communities across the seven-county diocese.

As director of the choirs at the cathedral and the diocesan Chorale, Thomas said he feels that it’s his responsibility to offer parishioners and visitors to the seat of the Diocese of Joliet a musical experience that inspires their faith.

Liturgical music works to “enhance” the spiritual atmosphere of the Masses and prayer services. “We want to give guests a wonderful experience,” Thomas said. Visitors to the cathedral often compliment the singers and other musicians for their talents. “It’s a lot of hard work,” he added.

An associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Fine Arts and Humanities at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Thomas said he strives to share his “passion” for music with his students as well as the people in the cathedral choirs. “I push them,” said the musician, who spent months helping the Moraine Chorale prepare to take part in the world premiere of recognized English composer John Rutter’s “Mass of the Children.” The concert took place in 2003 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Another highlight in the musician’s life was directing the members of the cathedral choir during a performance for Pope John Paul II in 1988 at the Vatican, Thomas said.

Talking about that “beautiful day” in St. Peter’s Square, Thomas mentioned that the choir from the Midwest was the only music group that performed for the pope during that audience. “Usually there’s 10 or 20 choirs that sing,” he said. Afterward, as the leader of the Catholic Church shook hands with the pilgrims from across the globe, the pontiff took time to stop for a few moments and compliment the performance of the singers from Joliet, said Thomas. “It was a once in a lifetime thing,” he said.

Approval and praise hasn’t stopped Thomas from continuing to develop his craft through teaching and conducting. The veteran musician and educator admitted that he is still nervous at the beginning of all performances, especially the grand diocesan celebrations at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. “I always keep my fingers crossed.”

Thomas said that he is preparing to enter a new realm in the performing arts. The conductor said that the cathedral choirs and the Joliet diocesan Chorale have begun plans to record their music. An initial recording has already been made of their performance during midnight Mass 2006, he said.

As for his job at the cathedral, Thomas added, “I’ll be here until I can’t do it any longer.”