Bachelor of Music in Church Music
Bolivar, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 28,656 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* total including room, board, and fees will be $40,342
Introduction
Do you have a love for music and a passion for ministry? SBU's church music degree will prepare you for service in music ministry by teaching you the foundations of church music concepts and skills with an emphasis on performance.
You will benefit from courses in both music and Christian ministry, including a required internship. Choose a concentration in either instrumental, keyboard, or vocal music. You also can choose to complete a performer's certificate, which demonstrates superior music performance ability.
The SBU Advantage
- Learn from faculty who are actively involved in church music in a variety of roles.
- SBU's music program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
- Nearly 100% of music graduates find positions within the music industry upon graduation; most church music graduates pursue either full-time or bi-vocational employment leading music at a church.
- Many of SBU's performance ensembles tour regionally, nationally, and even internationally. You will have unique performance opportunities in both sacred and contemporary performance venues.
Curriculum
Sample four-year plans vary according to your chosen primary applied area of study: Voice, Keyboard, or Instrumental (Non-Keyboard). Course order may vary depending on which semester you enter and when certain courses are offered. See advisor for details.
Career Opportunities
Career Possibilities
- Church Music Director
- Church Music Coordinator
- Choir Director
- Church Organist
- Church Pianist
- Music Production Editor
Most church music graduates are employed in either full-time or bi-vocational music ministry. Examples include:
- Dierra Dawn Blankenship '12 — Music Associate, First Baptist Church, Bolivar, Mo.
- Berrik Brumley '05 — Pastor of Worship Arts and Discipleship, Pine Bluff, Ark.
- Scott Davis '12 — Minister of Music, First Baptist Church, Valley Mills, Texas
- Nathan Elder '05 — Executive Pastor of Worship Arts at Element Church, Wentzville, Mo.
- Jennifer Hoover '07 — Music Missions, Rio Vista Baptist Church, New Orleans, La.
- Tim McCarty '05 — Administrator of Global Outreach/Worship Pastor, Edgewood Baptist Church, Seattle, Wash.
- Nathan White '12 — Worship Leader, Springfield, Mo.
Internships
SBU Church Music majors have the opportunity to complete internships in various area churches and ministries while enrolled at SBU. These internships will enhance your degree and give you important experience as worship leaders, church choir directors, music ministers, and more.
Several SBU students recently have completed semester-long internships at the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Graduate Schools
Several church music graduates have gone on to pursue further education in music and/or ministry, and have studied at institutions such as:
- Baylor University
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Student Testimonials
Scholarships and Funding
The majority of SBU music students are selected to receive financial assistance through a music performance scholarship in one or more areas (keyboard, vocal, and instrumental). Awards are renewable annually. Requirements for receiving scholarships are listed with each scholarship:
- Choral and Instrumental Scholarships — Participate in an assigned role in SBU ensembles
- Keyboard Scholarships — Perform assigned accompanying duties for soloists and/or ensembles in the department
All scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.5 minimum grade point average in all college coursework.
Admissions
Gallery
English Language Requirements
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