What's Happening in Church Music - February 20, 2024
CHURCH MUSIC PH.D. PROGRAM EXCELS AT BAYLOR
Though one of the newest Ph.D. programs at Baylor, the Ph.D. in Church Music has gone from strength to strength during its first ten years (2014-2024). Baylor currently has 31 Ph.D. programs large enough to be ranked by Academic Analytics , and Church Music is one of the twenty programs listed in the top 50%, when compared with music doctoral programs as a whole. Church Music Ph.D. students regularly score in the top 10% of Baylor doctoral programs in terms of both scholarly presentations and time to degree completion. Baylor Church Music Ph.D. graduates have gone on to hold positions at major research universities, to head church music programs, to become university music librarians, and to direct music programs at significant churches. Alumni of our Ph.D. program have collectively published dozens of journal articles and four academic books.
Learn more about Baylor's Ph.D. in Church Music graduates.
- Shannan Baker (Post-doc) recently presented at the 2024 Calvin Symposium on Worship on February 6-9. Dr. Baker shared findings from phase 1 of her work with the team from Worship Leader Research. Her presentation addressed the effects of the "Big 4" megachurches on worship in the church. Learn more about this work on the WLR website.
- Dr. Tracie Jernigan (BM '00, MM '03) recently started a new position as Minister of Worship Arts at First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC.
- Have an update or story to share? Email us.
WORSHIP LAB REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW
Camp registration for the 2024 Worship Lab (July 22-26) opens on Wednesday, February 21st at 10:00am. If you have students within your church who would benefit from this training experience, encourage them to join us this summer!
Learn more about Worship Lab on our website.
DUNN CCMS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
The Spring 2024 Advisory Board meeting for the Dunn Center will be held on Thursday, February 22nd. We look forward to welcoming this dedicated group of supporters to campus for a one-day meeting.
Learn more about the Advisory Board on our website.
ACADEMIC LECTURE: AUTISM & WORSHIP
In collaboration with the Dunn Center and the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, Baylor is exciting to present an academic lecture on autism & worship. Autistic people are less present in churches than their non-autistic peers. Even if they attend, often they are denied liturgical and leadership roles. In this presentation, Dr Léon van Ommen argues that ‘normalcy’ is a root cause of the absence and ignoring of autistic people. He presents a liturgical theology of availability in response, which he develops with the notions of kenosis and participation.
His book, "Autism and Worship" will be available for purchase and to be signed by Dr. Léon van Ommen.
- Date: Thursday, February 22nd
- Time: 3:30-5:00pm
- Location: Hankamer, Kayser Auditorium
Learn more about this event on our website.
COMMUNITY TALK: CHURCH THROUGH THE LENS OF AUTISM
Autistic and non-autistic people experience the world differently, in terms of the senses, ways of thinking, socialising, and so on. Based on research with autistic people around the world, in this talk Dr. Léon van Ommen analyses the Church through the lens of autism and reconsiders the Church’s corporate worship practices.
- Date: Friday, February 23rd
- Time: 9:00am
- Location: Truett Theological Seminary, Great Hall
Learn more about this event on our website.
HEARN INNOVATORS SERIES IN CHRISTIAN MUSIC
We are proud to welcome songwriter and worship leader Laura Story to campus as the Spring 2024 Hearn Innovator. During her residency, Laura will attend classes, share meals with students, and present an open lecture to the public on Monday, February 26th. We hope you will make plans to join us for this event.
- Date: Monday, February 26
- Time: 6:00pm
- Location: Waco Hall, Recital Hall II
Learn more about this event on our website.
SUMMER WORK POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT ALLELUIA AND WORSHIP LAB
We are currently recruiting students to work for this summer's upcoming conference and summer music camp. Spaces are available for two simultaneously occurring events.
Alleluia Conference Associates: Students are needed to provide hospitality to conference attendees, introduce speakers during breakout sessions, and troubleshoot any technical challenges that arise. Additionally, students will lead in worship gatherings and be responsible for recording breakout sessions. The success of this event is attributed to the dedicated work of our student team.
Worship Lab Camp Counselors: Students working this event will be responsible for supervising band rehearsals with visiting ministry teams and students, participating in small group discussions, leading worship/devotional times, supervising students in dorms/dining halls, and playing/singing as needed to fill in ensembles.
Students interested in signing up to work one of these important events should complete the sign-up form. Open to others outside of Church Music as well!
SIGN-UP FOR MEALS & COFFEE TIMES WITH LAURA STORY
Students have the opportunity to meet with Laura Story during the Hearn Innovators Series February 26-28. Please refer to your email (from CCMS@baylor.edu) with the sign-up link to add yourself to a meal or coffee conversation time slot with Laura!
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