Department of Worship Leadership

Philosophy for the Department of Worship Leadership

The Department of Worship Leadership realizes that the purpose of all believers is to glorify God in all they do. Every believer is given gifts that should be developed for the purpose of ministering to the Lord and to others. Worship is more than music. Worship encompasses every aspect of our lives in an effort to bring praise to God, including music.

The Department of Worship Leadership seeks to train students in a variety of creative areas in order that they might be agents of change for the gospel. The ever-changing worlds of church music and related industries require exposure to a broad range of styles, systems, and structures. Even though there is diversity in the media used for worship, the focus remains on the heart of the worshipper as the source for true worship.

Department of Worship Leadership Statement

Excellence is the goal of all performance benchmarks set for classroom instruction, applied music lessons, ensembles, recitals and corporate music events. Each student is challenged to meet or exceed faculty expectations for musical excellence as an individual act of worship, thus integrating the university’s core values―Christ-centered, Academically-focused, Student-devoted and Distinctively-driven.

Objectives

The student will demonstrate knowledge of:

Theory, music history, current trends in worship arts;
Theology of worship, leadership principles, Christian ethics;
Technical requirements for worship leadership, using student’s primary and secondary applied instrument focus.

The student will demonstrate the ability to:

Perform at an advanced level in one applied area;
Perform in a variety of primary and secondary ensembles;
Play a secondary musical instrument.

Purpose

The purpose of the worship leadership degree is to provide students with the knowledge and capability to develop a successful career in one of four key areas of concentration: 1) church ministry, 2) music business or 3) technology.

Worship Leadership majors will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in worship leadership and music. Students majoring in worship leadership must complete the University’s basic course (general education) requirements, the specified courses in worship leadership and music as well as the additional specific curriculum for the selected concentration.

Admission/Audition/Placement Exams

Students desiring admission to the Department of Worship Leadership are encouraged to complete the University of Mobile’s application for admission. Prospective Alabama School of the Arts (ASOTA) majors and minors are encouraged to schedule an appointment for an audition by calling 251-442-2551 or completing an online application found at www.umobile.edu/audition. Transfer students are required to take an entrance exam to determine proper placement for theory and applied music.

Department of Worship Leadership Student Manual

Students are required to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the ASOTA Student Manual concerning the following:

applied instruction
mid-level review
piano proficiency exam
seminar/recital hour
junior and senior recitals
concert music
all matters related to the music program

The ASOTA Student Manual can also be viewed in hard-copy form in the Department of Worship Leadership office.

Ensembles (Primary and Secondary)

All students with a major in music are expected to register for at least one ensemble each semester in residence. The following groups are defined as primary ensembles at the University of Mobile: University Singers and Symphonic Winds. Note: (Chamber Strings/Orchestra may be substituted as a large ensemble for string students, with permission). In order for students to acquire the experience of large and small ensembles, secondary ensembles should be taken for a minimum of 4 semesters. Audits for secondary ensembles are granted, when applicable, in order to alleviate increased cost to the student beyond the block pay of 17 hours (dean’s permission required).

Primary Ensembles (large)

Vocal

University Singers

Instrumental*

Symphonic Winds
Chamber Music Ensemble (strings)

*Note: Instrumental students whose applied area is guitar or piano are expected to participate in University Singers. Secondary ensemble experience in the guitar or piano ensembles is expected, thereby giving them experience in both small and large ensembles and broadening their instrumental and vocal experiences.

Secondary Ensembles (small)

Alabama Repertory Company

Deliverance Five

Exit 13

Guitar Ensemble

Ignite

Jazz Band

Opera Workshop

Piano Ensemble - Elite 88

RamCorps

SoFree

Voices of Mobile

Welsh Revival

*Note: All music majors participate in corporate music events. This opportunity extends participatory and observation experiences with both small and large ensembles. Examples of annual corporate music events are The Christmas Spectacular, The Mobile Passion Play, Night of the Classical Masters, the Opera, Musical Theatre Productions and the Spring Finale.