Church Music
Program Highlights
- Housed within a School of Music that provides exceptional musical training.
- A diverse faculty committed to the success of each student.
- Enrichment events offered through the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies.
- Performances and ensemble opportunities equally available to Church Music students.
Studying Church Music at Baylor
Church music today is a broad and ever-changing field. The church musician of this century must be aware of all the aspects currently influencing church music and must be prepared to meet these challenges with knowledge, skill and spiritual preparation. There is certainly room for great diversity in church music. Baylor will seek to value both what you bring to the educational process and the directions that you perceive your future life and ministry moving. Your classes will be taught with a sensitive balance of sound philosophy and practical application.
Bachelor of Music in Church Music (BM)
Our goal at Baylor is to prepare you for a career in Christian music. The curriculum at Baylor is designed to prepare students for the varied challenges that face today's Christian musicians, and we are committed to helping you attain the knowledge and skills that you need to serve joyfully throughout your life. Our program is also excellent preparation for further studies in church music at the seminary/graduate school level.
The Church Music program at Baylor allows students to pursue one of three different tracks depending on their primary area of concentration. Each degree plan offers the same core church music classes.
- BM in Church Music Degree Plan Checklists
- Reference your Degree Plan Checklist for course requirements before consulting the BM & BME Course Distribution List
Detailed Application Steps: BM in Church Music
choose your instrument:
| Flute | Horn | Trumpet |
| Clarinet | Oboe | Tuba |
| Bassoon | Organ | Viola |
| Cello | Percussion | Violin |
| Double Bass | Piano | Voice |
| Euphonium | Saxophone | |
| Harp | Trombone |
Bachelor of Arts in Music, Church Music (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Church Music is designed for serious musicians who are resolute about exploring new frontiers and unafraid to challenge musical conventions. Students develop the advanced skills necessary to support a wide range of professional pursuits in music and ministry. Within this degree, students may emphasize either performance-based or academically focused studies in music. To ensure a well-rounded and interdisciplinary education, this degree option requires the completion of a double major, secondary major, or minor alongside the Church Music emphasis.
- BA in Music Degree Plan Checklists (Applied, Academic, and Church Music emphases)
- Reference your Degree Plan Checklist for course requirements before consulting the BA Course Distribution List
Detailed Application Steps: BA in Music
choose your instrument:
| Flute | Horn | Trumpet |
| Clarinet | Oboe | Tuba |
| Bassoon | Organ | Viola |
| Cello | Percussion | Violin |
| Double Bass | Piano | Voice |
| Euphonium | Saxophone | |
| Harp | Trombone |
Church Music Minor (CMM)
Do you love music, but don't have time for a full major? Why not pursue a minor in music, church music? You will have the opportunity to receive private lessons, get involved in ensembles, learn the basics of music, and enroll in upper level church music courses with others who share your passion for worship. Learn from some of the finest faculty in the world and grow from interaction with other students.
Show me more about minoring in music at Baylor
Master of Music in Church Music (MM)
The Master of Music in Church Music program at Baylor is designed to bring students to the highest levels of performance and scholarship.
The Master of Music in Church Music has the following objectives.
- To prepare students for music ministry in a local church
- To prepare students to teach church music or to administer a church music program
- To provide opportunities to use research procedures through oral presentations papers, and culminating projects
- To provide continued opportunity for performance through private study and participation in appropriate ensembles
Detailed Application Steps: MM in Church Music
Master of Divinity/Master of Music (MDiv/MM)
Baylor University offers the joint degree Master of Divinity/Master of Music through George W. Truett Theological Seminary and the School of Music. This program in church music provides advanced theological education and graduate education in music for ministers in the field of music.
Detailed Application Steps: MDiv/MM in Church Music Joint Degree
Doctor of Musical Arts in Church Music (DMA)
The D.M.A. is intended principally for students who desire to have a strong performance component along with their studies in Church Music. These students will not have a minor area but will take applied lessons and give two recitals, with a supporting document accompanying the second recital.
Detailed Application Steps: DMA in Church Music
Doctor of Philosophy in Church Music (PhD)
The Ph.D. in Church Music is designed to foster in students the highest levels of knowledge and skill in the practice of church music and in research. The curriculum is composed primarily of research-oriented courses in Church Music and related musical fields. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to pursue study in appropriate areas of other disciplines, such as theology or church history in the Religion Department and/or George W. Truett Theological Seminary, educational psychology in the School of Education, or sociology in the Department of Sociology.
The Ph.D. is intended principally for students who desire to concentrate their program on academic studies in Church Music. These students will choose a minor area either in music or in an area related to religious studies and will write a dissertation.