Building Community Beyond the Classroom

For students in Baylor’s Church Music program, the classroom is only part of their formation. While technique and theory are crucial, so too is cultivating a sense of belonging and shared purpose — the kind that can’t be taught from a textbook. It’s in the gathering spaces, over shared meals and worship opportunities, where the seeds of lifelong friendships and ministry partnerships are often sown. It is through this lens that the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies (CCMS) seeks to explore and expand offerings that provide growth and inclusion to church music students.

Faith and Community as a Foundation

At the center of this community is worship. For many church music students, music is not just a vocation — it’s a calling deeply rooted in faith. Coming together in worship offers a space to reconnect with the spiritual why behind their work. 

Singing Hymns & Developing Relationships

Introduced in the fall of 2024, hymn sings are one meaningful opportunity for students to gather in a less formal manner. The hymn sing was introduced by Dr. Matthew Laube and his wife, Elizabeth. By welcoming students into their home, the Laube’s remind us that worship is both a past, present, and future practice. “Doing a hymn sing is a great way to model for students what church music (and the church itself) should be,” said Dr. Laube while thinking about the event. “First and foremost, gatherings like this remind us that we are a worshiping community. Worship is something we do not just at church, but it’s for all parts and spaces of our lives.” In opening their home and providing a space for this growth and experience, the Laube family is sharing that the church should be hospitable and welcoming, and give everyone the opportunity to participate. The most recent hymn sing took place this past Friday where some 40 students, faculty, and staff joined together for dinner followed by singing. 

“First and foremost, gatherings like this remind us that we are a worshiping community. Worship is something we do not just at church, but it’s for all parts and spaces of our lives.” ~ Dr. Matthew Laube.

Worshiping Together

In addition to the hymn sings, graduate students in church music recently organized an event titled “Come and Rest.” The gather served as an opportunity for church music students to come together and share songs with one another in an informal space. “There’s something deeply powerful about joining voices — not for a grade, not for a performance, but simply to worship together,” said doctoral student Sylvia Jones. “Community building experiences where fellowship is key provide safe spaces for students to connect.” In reflecting on the event, sophomore Eva Parker said, “Come and Rest was a chance to come together, slow down, and take a breath.” Amid a busy season of studying and rehearsals, Eva shared, “I enjoyed seeing one another play and sing together, doing so in a way that typically does not happen outside of studio and ensemble spaces.” This remained an important theme for others who participated in that their involvement was not based on requirement or grade, but simply from the heart-filling ability to make music with one another. As a follow-up to this event, graduate associates in the Dunn Center, along with members of the 40 Collective have schedule an upcoming time of worship around finals. The goal is that through intentionally provided spaces for music, worship, and creativity students will not only be encouraged to participate, but to take a greater interest in the planning and leadership process as well. 

Shaping a Future for Community & Engagement

“Through fruitful conversation with students, faculty, and staff across the School of Music, the CCMS will continue to build a community of support and creative outpouring that will spiritually sustain students throughout their time on campus,” said Chason Disheroon, associate director. “We will continue to strategically plan for these intentional moments of growth and fellowship through worship events, community meals, song shares, hymn sings, recognition services, artistic programming, and more.” As the Dunn Center continues to offer robust programming to the external community, so will offerings be developed and expanded to support the students on campus.