Courses

Group instruction of fundamental piano skills to be used in live worship service settings. Focus on scales, basic chord structures, improvisation, chord chart realization, and accompaniment skills. (1 Units)

Beginning group instruction on drum set as applied to commercial music studies. Students with a drum set as their primary instrument may substitute one unit of voice. (1 Units)

Group instruction of intermediate piano skills to be used in live worship service settings. Content will continue from MUS 015 - Class Piano for Worship Arts and Commercial Music I and focus on more advanced chord structures, improvisation, chord chart realization, and accompaniment skills. Prerequisite: MUS015 (1 Units)

Beginning group instruction on bass and guitar as applied to commercial music studies. Students with guitar or bass as their primary instrument may substitute one unit of voice. (1 Units)

While building community and culture for Worship Arts and Ministry students, this class focuses on the methodology and theology of effective corporate worship leadership, coaching students in platform presentation, rehearsing music ensembles, recruiting teams, and reaching worshipers, in the context of their local church internship. (1 Units)

Private Instruction is offered with material and performance of increasing difficulty as the student develops. Students must arrange a lesson time before or during the first week of classes in the School of Music office or with the instructor. Twelve (12) half-hour lessons will be offered per unit. Students are expected to perform in Student Recitals and a Jury Exam. (2 Units)

Private Instruction is offered with material and performance of increasing difficulty as the student develops. Students must arrange a lesson time before or during the first week of classes in the School of Music office or with the instructor. Twelve (12) half-hour lessons will be offered per unit. Students are expected to perform in Student Recitals and a Jury Exam. (2 Units)

While building community and culture for Worship Arts and Ministry students, this class focuses on the methodology and theology of effective corporate worship leadership, coaching students in platform presentation, rehearsing music ensembles, recruiting teams, and reaching worshipers, in the context of their local church internship. Prerequisite: MUS054 (1 Units)

Private Instruction is offered with material and performance of increasing difficulty as the student develops. Students must arrange a lesson time before or during the first week of classes in the School of Performing Arts office or with the instructor. Twelve (12) half-hour lessons will be offered per unit. Students are expected to perform in Student Recitals and a Jury Exam. Prerequisite: MUS081 (2 Units)

Exploration of musical styles and traditions of music for worship in small ensemble settings. The ensembles will primarily perform repertoire in contemporary worship band models. Rehearsals will emphasize instrumental and vocal skill development, worship leadership, and spiritual formation. Students will form individual worship bands that will lead worship and perform in campus and community events. Students must be enrolled in at least one ensemble for full credit each semester. Additional ensembles may be taken for zero (0) units. (1 Units)

Exploration of musical styles and traditions of music for worship in small ensemble settings. The ensembles will primarily perform repertoire in contemporary worship band models. Rehearsals will emphasize instrumental and vocal skill development, worship leadership, and spiritual formation. Students will form individual worship bands that will lead worship and perform in campus and community events. Students must be enrolled in at least one ensemble for full credit each semester. Additional ensembles may be taken for zero (0) units. (1 Units)

A review of music fundamentals, intensive study of basic concepts of music theory for the music major, introduction to music notation software. Concert attendance requirement. (3 Units)

Introductory experiences in sight-singing and ear-training. (1 Units)

Thought and discussion on the true heart of a worship leader. Special emphasis will be given to the call and role of a worship leader and the practical elements of worship arts ministry. This course is designed to introduce students to the Worship Arts and Ministry program and provide the foundational elements of worship, which will prepare them for academic and career success. (1 Units)

Development of skills in analyzing and writing music involving diatonic voice leading principles and harmonic progressions. Examples are drawn from art, sacred and popular music. Concert attendance requirement. Prerequisite: MUS114 (3 Units)

Continued development of aural skills and introduction to keyboard harmony and improvisation. Prerequisite: MUS115 (1 Units)

Emphasis on musical instruments, and their significance in a culture's folklore, religion and history; fundamental elements of music and how they vary in different traditions; the effects of cultural influences such as gender and ethnically on the perception, interpretations and performance of music; forces of nationalism, acculturation, and westernization and their effect on musical traditions. (2 Units)

Advanced writing and analysis of music involving chromatic and extended harmonies, and an introduction to 16th century polyphony and 18th century counterpoint. Examples are drawn from art, sacred and popular music. Prerequisite: MUS124 (3 Units)

Advanced training in ear-training, sight-singing and keyboard harmony involving chromatic exercises. Prerequisite: MUS125 (1 Units)

This course is a study of the development of musical styles and idioms in the context of selected historical periods and their connection with the cultural evolution of Western civilization. (3 Units)

A more intensive application of MUS 120 in the Music for Worship Arts and Ministry program. Students will gain practical experience in a ministry context under the direction of a Faculty supervisor. Students will demonstrate proficiency in administration, leadership, and pastoral ministry. Prerequisite: MUS120 (1 Units)

This course is designed to explore the craft and heart of ministry in the church. It will equip future worship leaders/pastors with the practical, ministerial, administrative, organization, and management skills needed to build, organize, and manage a thriving multi-dimensional, biblically based, worship ministry in the context of the local church. (3 Units)

Basic conducting skills, principles, and rehearsal techniques for choral and instrumental music. Observations of choral and instrumental ensemble rehearsals. Prerequisite: MUS214 (2 Units)

Instruction in arranging for vocal and rhythm section in popular music genres. (2 Units)

An examination of the development of worship and musical practices in the church, focusing on congregational engagement and singing. Students will study the biblical and historical practices of the church to effectively serve in worship arts and ministry. (3 Units)

Practical instruction in rehearsal techniques and leadership of worship ensembles. Special attention is given to musical leadership for vocal ensembles and worship bands, creating and executing rehearsal plans, vocal and instrumental pedagogy in ensemble settings, and conducting techniques as applied to the music rehearsal. Prerequisite: MUS312 (2 Units)

An examination of Scripture in order to develop a biblical theology of worship and its application in the local church. Students will learn about the development of worship practices from the Old and New Testaments and learn to apply hermeneutical principles to understanding present-day worship applications. (3 Units)

Worship Technology covers the various skills needed for the technical aspects of modern church worship service. Included in the course will be techniques on lighting, sound, multi-media, and emerging technologies that will enhance corporate worship. The student will learn the various skills needed for these areas as well as the ability to communicate with professionals in the technical field. (3 Units)

This course will equip worship leaders with tools and strategies to weave numerous musical and artistic elements together to design creative, coherent, and powerful worship experiences. Also covered will be vocal and instrumental scoring and arranging for worship contexts. (3 Units)

Worship Arts and Ministry students must plan, organize, lead, and execute a 60-minute senior recital or project. The vision of the event will be modeled after a "Night of Worship" setting and include select creative elements outside of music such as lighting, video, staging, and/or other artistic expressions. (1 Units)

This course is designed to be a capstone academic experience for seniors in the Worship Arts and Ministry Degree, and preparation for graduate level work in the field. This class is in-depth study of contemporary issues related to music and worship ministry. The course gives students an opportunity to integrate theology, history, philosophy, and artistic knowledge into a rotating topic in the field of worship studies. Rotating topics to include: liturgical theology, studies in contemporary worship music, cultural expression, aesthetics and Christian worship, Pentecostal influence on worship music, and multiethnic worship. (1 Units)

This class provides a theological and philosophical foundation for studying the performing arts. This course examines the relationship between beauty, the arts, and the Christian life and worship. It is primarily designed as an examination of the aesthetic, cultural, and creative components of the performing arts, but it will also explore other art forms, philosophies of culture, and the arts' capacities for spiritual formation. Giving particular attention to music and theatre, this course will examine the role that the arts play in society, in the church, and in Christian worship. (3 Units)