Church Music Students Honored During School of Music Convocation
As the semester comes to a close, we celebrate alongside our students the academic achievements of our graduates and church musicians. During last week’s Honors Convocation, four Church Music students were honored for exceptional academic achievement and scholarly excellence.
Kristi Noel is graduating with a Master’s degree in Church Music. During her time here, she participated in A Cappella Choir, Bella Voce, and 40 Collective, as well as the Alleluia Conference. Her Master's Thesis focuses on Pentecostal Worship through the lens of musical literacy, and she has been invited to present her research at the Society for Pentecostal Studies Conference as well as the International Network for Music Theology Conference at St. Andrews University this coming June.
Kristi received the Church Music Graduate Student Award as well as the Graduate Academic Achievement Award from the Academic Studies Division.
The Church Music Graduate Student Award honors the graduating church music graduate student who is deemed most outstanding by the church music faculty.
Each year the faculty of the Academic Studies Division presents two Academic Achievement Awards to students graduating in the current year, one at the bachelor’s level and one at the master’s level. Students are nominated by the faculty and elected based upon consideration of several factors. While GPA is an important aspect, also considered are the students’ performance in academic classes, intellectual curiosity, special academic accomplishments, and plans to pursue further studies in an academic discipline after completing their Baylor degree.
Congratulations, Kristi!
Matthew Cox is a senior Church Music major in voice from Wylie, Texas. In his time at Baylor, he has directed the Baylor Religious Hour Choir for three years and was selected to participate in the Southwestern ACDA conducting masterclass this past spring. He will additionally conduct at the TCDA conducting masterclass this summer. Following graduation, he will begin serving as Associate Worship Pastor at First Baptist Richardson.
Matthew received the Baylor ACDA Outstanding Choral Music Award and the Bernard A. and Bessie Hess Smith Award.
The Baylor ACDA Outstanding Choral Music Award honors students who demonstrate exceptional skill, commitment, and effort in the pursuit of choral conducting. Recipients engage in conducting and leadership opportunities during their time at Baylor.
The Bernard A. and Bessie Hess Smith Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement recognizes the graduating undergraduate student with the highest academic record.
Congratulations, Matthew!
Blayne Stonecipher is a Senior B.M. Church Music Major with a Voice concentration from Roanoke, Texas. In his time at Baylor, he has won 3rd, 2nd, or 1st place each year at the Texoma Regional Competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He has also qualified as a finalist in the Schmidt Vocal Arts Undergraduate Competition Lower Division and a semi-finalist in the Upper Division. He serves as Music Director at Parker Bible Church in Weatherford, Texas.
Blayne received the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Church Music Award. This award is given each year to the church music graduating senior who is deemed by the church music faculty to be the outstanding church music student in his/her graduating class. The recipient receives a plaque, and his/her name is placed on the permanent plaque that hangs in the church music office.
Congratulations, Blayne!
William Booth is a junior Church Music major with a concentration in voice from Amarillo, Texas. He has served in church music ministry through internships at First Baptist Amarillo, First Baptist Waco, and First Baptist Woodway, and will continue this work this summer at Sugarland Baptist Church. William is passionate about leading worship and leading others to Christ. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights, climbing mountains, and taking any chance to be outdoors.
William received the Ray Luper Church Music Scholarship. This scholarship is named for Dr. Ray Luper who was a professor of church music at Baylor for many years. During his distinguished career, Dr. Luper taught generations of church musicians who now serve churches around the world. Dr. Luper retired from Baylor in May 1999, and died shortly afterward. This scholarship was established in his honor in 2003 and is awarded to the outstanding rising senior church music major.
Congratulations, William!
Congratulations to all the School of Music award recipients on their achievements and to all the School of Music students graduating this semester. Sic 'em!