News

The academic year is complete: finals graded, books returned, students graduated — and Baylor faculty honored! Congratulations to this year’s Baylor professors of the year:

The Baylor School of Music is proud to share that The Moanin’ Frogs, a saxophone sextet that includes faculty member Gabriel Piqué, DMA, Assistant Professor of saxophone, has won the Menuhin Gold Prize at the 12th Osaka International Chamber Music Festa in Japan.

After sixteen years of service to the Baylor University School of Music, Bob Avant will retire at the close of the spring semester.

As the semester comes to a close, we celebrate alongside our students the academic achievements of our graduates and church musicians. During last week’s Honors Convocation, four Church Music students were honored for exceptional academic achievement and scholarly excellence.

The Baylor School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jing-Fang Huang as Lecturer in Collaborative Piano. 

The Baylor University School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Byunghee Yoo, DMA, as Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano.

On April 18, the Dunn Center hosted a Worship Lab Workshop at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, TX, bringing together students and youth leaders from across the region for a day of learning, mentorship, and hands-on worship leadership training. Designed to explore both the how and the why of leading worship in the local church, the workshop combined practical skill-building, exemplary leadership models, and meaningful conversations about calling and ministry, offering students a formative experience that connected musical excellence with servant-hearted leadership.

After 26 years of dedicated and distinguished service to Baylor University, Professor of Voice Deborah Williamson will retire at the end of this academic year. 

The Baylor University School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Kirsten Chambers, MM, BM, as Assistant Professor of Voice, effective August 1, 2026. 

Baylor School of Music mourns the passing of former Director of Choral Activities Dr. Donald L. Bailey, whose legacy lives on in the generations of musicians and educators he taught.

Over the past several weeks, our students have taken their research well beyond the classroom, participating in academic conferences across the United States and around the world. Alongside faculty and alumni, they have contributed to important scholarly conversations about worship, music, and global Christian practice, sharing original research, lecture‑recitals, and performances with diverse academic communities. These gatherings highlight not only the depth of our students’ work, but also the collaborative ethos that connects generations of scholars as they carry our green and gold into the wider world.

The Black Worship Festival, held February 23–28, brought together artists, scholars, students, and community members for a week-long celebration of Black sacred music, creativity, and cultural exchange. Anchored by the Hearn Innovator Series in Christian Music, the festival welcomed 10-time Grammy Award–winning producer and composer Kevin Bond, the week then featured the internationally acclaimed Nathaniel Dett Chorale in a landmark performance of The Hosea Oratorio: A Gospel Jazz Hip Hop Spoken Word Fusion by Dr. Stephen Newby. 

Baylor University’s School of Music will host the Black Worship Festival, held Feb. 23-28, bringing together artists, scholars, students and community members for a week-long celebration of Black sacred music, creativity and cultural exchange.

Baylor’s Black Gospel Music Preservation Project is drawing national media attention by expanding the ways it preserves and promotes decades of this historic music. 

First year violin performance student Nicholas Shih-Pogrebnoy wins Concerto Competition.

From Costa Rica to Baylor and on to the Super Bowl, Giancarlo Guerrero's story inspires us all.

Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will present a special Black History Month Carillon Recital at noon Monday, Feb. 9, on the McLane Carillon atop Pat Neff Hall.

Baylor University’s Black Gospel Archive (BGA) is one of the world’s most significant programs dedicated to preserving Black sacred music and cultural history.  

Baylor University will mark a significant milestone this year as it hosts the 25th Annual Sacred Harp Sing, a vibrant gathering that honors one of America’s oldest and most enduring musical traditions. Held each year on the Saturday before the second Sunday in February, the event brings together singers from across Texas and beyond for a day of spirited, communal music‑making in the Great Hall of Truett Theological Seminary. 

The Fulbright Program today recognized Baylor University as one of the nation’s elite top 10 producers of students and recent alumni selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

The annual award honors Church Music Professor Randall Bradley, D.M.A., director of the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies, for his outstanding contributions to Baylor’s learning environment.

The Baylor University School of Music is delighted to announce that Austin Richardson, M.M., has accepted a permanent role as Assistant Professor of Trombone.

The spring semester is off to a vibrant start at Baylor, with a wide range of opportunities for creativity, professional formation, and worship through music. From collaborative songwriting and career development to historic singing traditions and powerful engagements with Black worship, the months ahead offer something for students, faculty, and the wider community alike.

Assistant Professor of Cello, Philip Borter, recounts his U.S. Fulbright Scholar experience in Brazil.

As 2025 comes to a close, we pause to reflect on the work of the Dunn Center, Church Music faculty, students, and alumni. From classrooms to sanctuaries, rehearsals to worship gatherings, our community has poured energy, creativity, and faith into shaping leaders within the church. This seasons invites us to not only celebrate milestones but also recognize the many ways God has been at work among us. 

Gray Media Group and KWTX Television will present a nationwide encore of “A Baylor Christmas,” with the annual School of Music concert airing on all Gray TV stations in the U.S.

In the heart of Baylor University’s School of Music, doctoral student Sylvia D. Jones is crafting a legacy that blends classical excellence with spiritual depth. A soprano whose voice has been described as “angelic,” “full of passion,” and “tear-jerking,” Jones is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Church Music with an emphasis in vocal performance, a path that reflects both her artistry and her calling.

The Shih-Pogrebnoy family’s story is one of artistry that transcends borders, yet it is also a story of roots—roots that have taken hold in Waco, at Baylor University, and now across generations.

As Dr. Bradley’s retirement approaches, the School of Music and the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies stand resolved to reflect and celebrate the visionary leadership that has transformed the Center into a vital resource for ministers, young people, and church musicians alike. This upcoming new chapter allows for faculty, staff, and students to both celebrate and continue the legacy of the past while also remaining free to dream new dreams and develop initiatives to impact the church of tomorrow. 

Save the date to purchase your tickets to our annual, televised Christmas concert!

On Friday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Theater, the Baylor Opera Theatre and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra bring to life the Texas premiere of Michael Ching’s Notes on Viardot, a dazzling new opera that restores the legacy of 19th-century icon Pauline Viardot, once hailed by Franz Liszt as “a woman composer of genius.”

Los Osos Dorados (or “The Golden Bears” in English) are Baylor’s newest ensemble and first-ever mariachi band! 

Olivier Latry will perform at Baylor this October

Baylor University’s Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies welcomed acclaimed singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken to campus this week as the Fall 2025 Hearn Innovator in Christian Music through the annual program that brings distinguished leaders in music and the arts to Baylor.

Music has long added elements of pageantry and aura for the U.S. Armed Forces. For the U.S. Navy, the Navy Band Sea Chanters is the musical voice of the aquatic branch. And now, a Baylor alumna stands among their ranks.

Alissa Ruth Suver (MM ’25), a conductor and soprano vocalist who graduated from Baylor in May, earned a highly coveted and highly competitive spot among the Sea Chanters — and then further demonstrated her commitment to the role and the cause it supports by completing Navy boot camp.

Tickets are SOLD OUT. Thanks for all the interest in this special event!

Ten Baylor faculty members have been selected as 2025-2026 Baylor Fellows for their excellence in teaching and desire to advance the University’s commitment to transformational education.

Check out our New Beginnings season of events!

Baylor’s Class of 2029 arrives on campus this fall united by a common anthem: “CROSS//ROADs,” a class blessing for #BU29 written and recorded by two current Baylor students with the help of Baylor’s School of Music and Office of Spiritual Life.

The song captures the heart tug felt by new college students as they leave the past behind to step out into the future, following God’s calling to what’s next in life. Having been in that same place not long ago, Baylor students Luke Fisher and Hannah Barine (pictured above) collaborated to write and record the song, now available on Spotify and Apple Music.

The School of Music is excited to introduce Austin Richardson, M.M., who will be joining Baylor as Visiting Lecturer of Trombone this fall.

Philip Borter, D.M.A., assistant professor of cello in the School of Music, has been selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Brazil, where he will study the modern Brazilian cello repertoire.

This year's A Baylor Christmas concert celebrates a unique blend of Baylor tradition and community-centered themes, focusing on Waco’s own peacemakers and local organizations that make a difference. 

It’s been quite a year for Forrest Frank (BBA ’17):

• Hit No. 1 on iTunes worldwide chart (for all genres)
• Five of iTunes’ top 100 Christian songs for 2024
• Chosen as the soundtrack for Baylor’s 2024-25 commercial (our favorite honor, obviously)

Now, the Baylor grad has been recognized yet again, having won the 2024 Dove Award for New Artist of the Year!

Dunn Center has been awarded a second grant to continue exploring youth participation in worship in the local church. During this new project, the research team is working to assess and develop youth leadership models that when applied fully or in smaller, appropriate contexts, will increase the overall productivity and longevity of youth worship teams. The CCMS project is titled the Worship Lab Initiative (WLI) and seeks to identify and introduce scalable worship leadership models into the local church through observations, assessment, and implementation.

The Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies is delighted to welcome Geraldine Latty-Luce and Carey Luce as our inaugural International Visiting Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic year. We are confident that this cross-cultural exchange will enhance the work not only of the Dunn Center, but also of the broader School of Music and Baylor University as a whole.

We sat down with Geraldine and Carey to hear about their individual stories, their story together, and their vision for their residency here at Baylor. Read the article to learn more!

Stephen Newby was called to Baylor to advance interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the study and preservation of Black gospel music. His approach, like the music itself, blends numerous notes into harmony: 

From outstanding academic achievements to inspiring music initiatives, there is so much to look forward to within our community. Be a part of our journey by sharing your exciting news and unique accomplishments with us.

The School’s alumni continue to fling their Green & Gold across the globe. Learn what some of our grads are doing today.

We love to spotlight the extraordinary work of our internationally renowned faculty. These individuals are not only acclaimed performers but also dedicated pedagogues who are passionate about transforming lives through music and education.

The accomplishments of our students showcase their incredible talents and exemplifies their hard work and dedication.

In his final letter for the School of Music's Semper Pro Musica newsletter, Dean Mortenson shares a touching farewell message about his growing family and future plans, and expresses profound gratitude for the support of the School's faculty, staff and students.

Baylor University’s Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies in the Baylor School of Music has been awarded a four-year $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Strengthening Ministries with Youth Initiative. This award comes as phase one of the Dunn Center’s Building Bridges to the Future project, a $1.2 million award designed to enrich youth worship ministries, nears its conclusion. 

WACO, Texas (April 16, 2024) – Isaiah Odajima, M.M. ’99, D.M.A., associate professor of ensembles and associate director of bands in the Baylor University School of Music, was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association at the organization’s national convention in Washington, D.C., and served as a guest conductor for "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. 

Lesley McAllister, D.M.A., received recognition for her article, “The Language of Awareness: How Cueing and Breath Work Impact the Music Lesson”

The award-winning Baylor Symphony Orchestra will make its Bass Performance Hall debut on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. 

Read about our Board of Advocates and how to send us your great news.

Be sure to save the dates and join us for our special events and concerts.

The School's alumni continue to fling their green and gold across the globe. Learn what some of our grads are doing with their degrees.

Our faculty are internationally renowned performers and pedagogues. Read about how they are transforming lives and bettering communities.

The accomplishments of our students showcase their incredible talents and exemplifies their hard work and dedication.

Ensemble releases Divine Mischief on the Signum Classics label prior to launch of reginal tour.

Production of Monsieur et Madame Denis caps off award-winning year for Baylor Opera.

In the spirit of celebration, Dean Mortenson, who is set to retire on July 1, is particularly excited about the high-profile concerts scheduled within the next few months.

Winners of Baylor’s Semper Pro Musica Competitions to Perform at World Renowned Venues in New York City and Fort Worth.

The Baylor Wind Ensemble and prominent clarinetist Julian Bliss release Divine Mischief on the Signum Classics label, available on all streaming platforms. 

School of Music and Baylor says goodbye to a beloved member of the Baylor family.

McLean joins the School’s renowned faculty full time after serving as a temporary lecturer of choral ensemble.

Check out the latest news about our Board of Advocates, Worship Lab, and learn how to stay connected.

Be sure to save the dates and join us for our special concerts.

The School's alumni continue to fling their green and gold across the globe. Learn what some of our grads are doing with their degrees.

Our faculty are internationally renowned performers and pedagogues. Read about how they are transforming lives and bettering communities.

Phillips is releasing several videos of works that represent periods of his own musical, artistic, personal and spiritual growth.

Great stories happen at the School of Music as our students continue to excel in competitions or in the classrooms.

Kevin Sanders, D.M.A., joins Baylor from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.

Get ready to feel the rhythm of excitement as we gear up for an extraordinary musical experience at the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention.

Dean Mortenson expresses his gratitude to the many people who contributed to a joyful tenure of leadership at Baylor.

Be sure to mark your calendar and join us for our special concerts.

Check out the latest news about our Board of Advocates, expanding facilities and other exciting events.

Our alumni hold positions as educators, performers, and administrators in leading institutions throughout the world.

Our faculty are internationally-renowned performers and pedagogues. Read about how they are transforming lives and bettering communities.

Congratulations to our amazing students for all their accomplishments. We are so proud of you!

The School of Music presents the world’s finest classical and cultural performers to its concert stages through its Distinguished Artist Series to help enrich the education of our students and surrounding community through exposure and involvement with fine arts.

Members of the Baylor Bella Voce choral ensemble traveled to Ireland for a transformative experience filled with traditional Irish folk songs and dance.

This year’s A Baylor Christmas promises to hit all the right notes with traditional Christmas music while featuring a new look and feel throughout this time-honored concert.

A few words from Dean Mortenson as the 2023-2024 academic year is underway.

The Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies in the Baylor School of Music will host Elias Dummer, recording artist and worship leader, for its fall 2023 Hearn Innovator Series.

Baylor University announced today the appointment of Reginal Wright, M.M., as Lecturer in Choral Music in Baylor’s School of Music.

A few words from Dean Mortenson as we close the chapter on the 2023-2023 academic year.

Heartfelt cheers, emotional speeches, and a sea of misty eyes concluded Lynne Gackle's final concert as the Baylor School of Music's Director of Choral Activities on Tuesday, April 25.

Bradley Bolen spent spring break teaching masterclasses and private lessons at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

From McCrary Practice Rooms to National Tours with Award Winning Christian Contemporary Pop Band CAIN

Congratulations to our amazing students for all their accomplishments. We are so proud of you!

Our faculty are internationally renowned performers and pedagogues. Read about how they are transforming lives and bettering communities.

Check out the latest news about our Board of Advocates, upcoming concerts, and other exciting events.

After two rounds of auditions, horn student Blake Moreland lands the principal horn position in a professional symphony.

Our alumni hold positions as educators, performers, and administrators in leading institutions throughout the world.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved colleague, Richard Shanley. Please keep the Shanley family in your thoughts and prayers.

Baylor University’s Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies to Host James Abbington, D.M.A., for its Spring 2023 Northcutt Lecture Series.

MacMullen brings vision of audience engagement, development of community and continued choral excellence to Baylor School of Music