Overview
If this describes you, then the Music Worship Studies degree at North Greenville University may be the best option for you. Here, NGU's Cline School of Music faculty members are prepared and willing to help you begin a successful career as a worship leader.
Major Description
As a Worship Ministry major at NGU, you will spend much of your time studying music skills, developing your ability as a performer, participating in ensembles, attending worship experiences on and off campus, and developing your leadership skills. You will learn about music theory, church music history, leading a church in a comprehensive music program, conducting skills, and working on a church staff in a music leadership role, as well as how to apply this knowledge in your own worship leadership.
By the completion of this degree, you will have participated in an off-campus practicum, working with a local church music worship leader. Ultimately, our Worship Ministry degree will provide a strong education based on a biblical worldview that will prepare you for a variety of worship-related pursuits.
Curriculum
The Cline School of Music at NGU offers professional degrees in a strong liberal arts setting, with bachelor’s degrees in music education and music performance and a music worship studies program. In addition, the university offers the Bachelor of Arts in music, a general music program that has a large number of elective courses available to give the student freedom to explore other areas of interest.
As you continue through the program, you will find that the four components of theoretical skills, style recognition, basic keyboard proficiency, and performance proficiency are interrelated, working together to provide the experiences necessary for the development of effective musicians.Faculty Strengths
Each Cline School of Music faculty member holds a doctorate or terminal degree in a specialized medium of music; brings a unique set of musical experiences to the classroom; and encourages students to use their musical abilities to reflect the creativity of God.
Tracks/Concentrations
There are no tracks or concentrations for this major available at this time.
Minors
At NGU, we offer minors to complement your major. Each minor requires a minimum of 18 semester hours, which in some cases may even be used to meet the elective requirements for your major. View the full list of minors.
Electives
- Introduction to Missions
- Introduction to Youth Ministry
- Principles of Evangelism
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Career Opportunities
- Chaplain
- Christian musician/Performer
- Composer
- Denominational worker
- Minister of music
- Music missionary
- Teacher
- Worship pastor
Postgraduate Studies
- North Greenville University
- Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Potential Employers
- Academy of Western Music
- Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church
- Elkin Valley Baptist Church
- Providence Baptist Church
- Second Baptist Church Lancaster
- Sweetwater First Baptist Church
- U.S. Army
- West Gantt First Baptist Church
Learning Experience
NGU offers a marching band during the fall semester and a pep band during the spring semester. You may want to be in one or both and receive a scholarship for your participation. NGU also features a concert choir, jazz band, and more ensembles open to music students.
Composition
There are opportunities for composition with public premieres of composed works and helpful feedback as you grow as an artist.
Facilities
The Hayes Fine Arts Center and Turner Chapel at NGU provide you with plenty of space to create and learn music skills. The Hayes Fine Arts Center has faculty studios, the Hamlin Recital Hall, Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, Choral Room, and Music Technology Lab. The Instrumental Rehearsal Hall and Choral Room also serve as classrooms and practice facilities. Turner Chapel has 16 practice rooms, additional classrooms, a large performance hall, and a small ensemble rehearsal room. All of these are available, even after hours, for you to use.
Performances
The Music Department presents approximately 40 performances per academic year. These include chamber performances, student recitals, large ensemble performances, faculty and guest recitals, and student junior and senior recitals.
Work Study
The Music Department offers you several work study opportunities that include assisting ensemble conductors prepare for rehearsals and performances, assisting guest performers, and providing guidance for younger musicians.
Dr. Brent Coppenbarger 
Dr. Christopher Davis 
Dr. Cheryl Greene 
Fabio Parrini 
Dr. Darian Washington 
Dr. David Cudd 
Megan Hollifield 
Dr. Michael Weaver 
Dr. Seth Killen 
Stephen GrinerCourses
EXAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE
Primary Instrument Lesson (4 hours)
Secondary Instrument Lesson (2 hours)
Music Theory (8 hours)
Old Testament Survey (3 hours)
Introduction to the History of Music and Art (3 hours)
First Year Experience (1 hour)
Ensembles (2 hours)
Composition and Literature (6 hours)
New Testament Survey (3 hours)
(Note: In addition to the courses for their major, every student at NGU is required to register and earn credit for Chapel, for each semester of full-time enrollment, and Cultural Events, for only the first four semesters of full-time enrollment. Each of these courses counts as one-half credit hour per semester. These special offerings support NGU’s mission of educating the whole person — both intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.)
EXAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE
Primary Instrument Lesson (4 hours)
Secondary Instrument Lesson (2 hours)
Music Theory (8 hours)
Basic Conducting (2 hours)
Computer Tech for Musicians (3 hours)
Congregational Song Literature (3 hours)
Ensembles (2 hours)
Principles of Evangelism, Introduction to Missions, or Introduction to Youth Ministry (3 hours)
Biological science course (4 hours)
Physical science course (4 hours)
(Note: In addition to the courses for their major, every student at NGU is required to register and earn credit for Chapel, for each semester of full-time enrollment, and Cultural Events, for only the first four semesters of full-time enrollment. Each of these courses counts as one-half credit hour per semester. These special offerings support NGU’s mission of educating the whole person — both intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.)
EXAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE
Primary Instrument Lesson (2 hours)
Development of Musical Styles: Before 1750 (2 hours)
Development of Musical Styles: 1750 to the Late 19th Century (2 hours)
Contemporary Worship Technology and Recording (3 hours)
Advanced Conducting (3 hours)
Music Literature of the Church (3 hours)
Spiritual Formation (1 hour)
Ensembles (2 hours)
History course (3 hours)
Math course (3 hours)
Jazz and Popular Theory (3 hours)
Arranging and Songwriting for the Church Musician (3 hours)
Physical Fitness and Wellness (2 hours)
Handbell Ensemble (1 hour)
(Note: In addition to the courses for their major, every student at NGU is required to register and earn credit for Chapel, for each semester of full-time enrollment, and Cultural Events, for only the first four semesters of full-time enrollment. Each of these courses counts as one-half credit hour per semester. These special offerings support NGU’s mission of educating the whole person — both intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.)
EXAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE
Primary Instrument Lesson (2 hours)
Church Music Leadership: Children to Adults (3 hours)
Church Music Practicum (2 hours)
Church Music Worship: History to Current Trends (3 hours)
Church Music Leadership: Administration and Philosophy (3 hours)
Development of Musical Styles: Post 19th-Century and World Music (2 hours)
Ensembles (2 hours)
Contemporary Christian Ensemble (2 hours)
Social Science (3 hours)
Open electives (7 hours)
English course (3 hours)
(Note: In addition to the courses for their major, every student at NGU is required to register and earn credit for Chapel, for each semester of full-time enrollment, and Cultural Events, for only the first four semesters of full-time enrollment. Each of these courses counts as one-half credit hour per semester. These special offerings support NGU’s mission of educating the whole person — both intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.)
Program Objectives
- Develop a philosophy of worship.
- Organize and plan a comprehensive music ministry.
- Plan and lead worship.
Resources
- Accreditation & Institution
- Cline School of Music
- Cline School of Music Policies
- Ensembles
- Cultural Events Calendar
- Music Minor
- Professional Affiliates
- Scholarship Auditions