Church Music Concentration
This concentration includes study in general musicianship, worship theology, music education, and performance proficiency. Every music major selects either a Church Music or Music Education concentration and a musical proficiency in voice, piano, or another instrument of choice.
The Church Music concentration focuses on theology, ministry leadership, musicianship, and the organizational skills needed for music ministry. Once accepted into West Coast Baptist College, prospective music students must submit a video audition and a music teacher’s/music pastor’s reference for admission to the Music Program.
Interesting Courses
This course explores the biblical teachings about music and worship and equips the Christian leader with the critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills necessary to form a biblical philosophy of worship. Students will engage in a variety of readings and critiques as they explore difficult questions surrounding the topic of music and worship in the church music setting. Prerequisite: EN 102
This course introduces the student to the art and mechanics of choral conducting. The course explores the basic conducting patterns, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, musical terminology, expressive gestures, and score study. This course will develop important conducting techniques necessary for choir directors and congregational song leaders in local church ministry. Prerequisite: None
This course is the first of two capstone courses for the Church Music program and covers a variety of topics related to church music and worship leadership. In addition to the helpful discussions, each student will serve a sort of internship in the music departments of WCBC and Lancaster Baptist Church for a certain number of hours per semester. Prerequisite: EN 102, MU 131, MU 133, MU 150, and MU 316
Key Faculty
Degree Plan
Freshman Fall
Course Code Course Name Credits BI 101 Old Testament Survey 3.0 EN 101 Grammar and Composition 1 3.0 MU 121 Music Theory 1 3.0 MU 123 Sight Singing and Ear Training 1 1.0 MU 150 Voice Class 1.0 MU 301 West Coast Choir and Orchestra 1.0 OR 101 Principles of Christian Living 2.0 PT 111 Personal Evangelism 2.0 Total 8 16.0 Freshman Spring
Course Code Course Name Credits BI 102 New Testament Survey 3.0 BI 211 Acts 2.0 EN 102 Grammar and Composition 2 3.0 MU 131 Music Theory 2 3.0 MU 133 Sight Singing and Ear Training 2 1.0 MU 202 Survey of Western Music 2.0 MU 301 West Coast Choir and Orchestra 1.0 Total 7 15.0 Sophomore Fall
Course Code Course Name Credits BI 212 Romans 2.0 BI 371 Theology 1 3.0 MU 221 Music Theory 3 3.0 MU 223 Music Technology 2.0 MU 301 West Coast Choir and Orchestra 1.0 MU 302 History of Western Music 2.0 Math Elective 3.0 Total 7 16.0 Sophomore Spring
Course Code Course Name Credits AP 301 Science and Faith 2.0 BI 231 Introduction to Dispensationalism 2.0 HI 284 US History 2 3.0 MU 231 Music Theory 4 3.0 MU 233 Keyboard Harmony 1.0 MU 301 West Coast Choir and Orchestra 1.0 PT 125 Evangelistic Songleading 2.0 SPCH 101 Freshman Speech 2.0 Total 8 16.0 Junior Fall
Course Code Course Name Credits BI 291 Methodical Bible Studies 2.0 BI 373 Theology 3 3.0 MU 315 Choral Conducting 1 2.0 MU 371 Ensemble 1.0 MU 411 Arranging and Composition 2.0 PT 100 Practical Theology 1.0 General Elective 3.0 Total 7 14.0 Junior Spring
Course Code Course Name Credits BC 101 Introduction to Biblical Counseling 2.0 MU 316 Choral Conducting 2 2.0 MU 371 Ensemble 1.0 MU 402 Philosophy of Church Music 2.0 MU 412 Orchestration and Scoring Techniques 2.0 PT 100 Practical Theology 1.0 Bible Elective 3.0 General Elective 3.0 Total 8 16.0 Senior Fall
Course Code Course Name Credits BI 201 Life of Christ 3.0 HI 283 US History 1 3.0 MU 371 Ensemble 1.0 MU 401 Sacred Music Literature 2.0 MU 471 Senior Music Recital 1.0 MU 481 Church Music Seminar 1 3.0 PT 311 Christian Marriage and Home 2.0 Total 7 15.0 Senior Spring
Course Code Course Name Credits AP 101 Apologetics 3.0 BI 372 Theology 2 3.0 BI 401 Baptist History and Distinctives 3.0 MU 371 Ensemble 1.0 MU 482 Church Music Seminar 2 3.0 Total 5 13.0