Philosophy for the Department of Worship &Technology

The Department of Worship & Technology 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 & Technology 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 & Technology

Excellence is the goal of all performance benchmarks set for classroom instruction, applied music lessons, ensembles, junior/senior project 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:

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

The student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Perform at an advanced level in one applied area;
2. Show proficiency in a secondary musical instrument.
3. Articulate a philosophy of worship;

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 three key areas of concentration: 1) church ministry, 2) music business, 3) education

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 and Technology 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 or interview by calling 251-442-2420 or completing an online application found at www.umobile.edu/audition. Production Technology students should request an interview through the audition process. Transfer students are required to take an entrance exam to determine proper placement for theory and applied music. 

Department of Worship & Technology Student Manual

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

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

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: Worship Choir, Symphonic Winds, String Orchestra, Piano Ensemble, and Guitar Ensemble. 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). 

NOTE: ASOTA scholarships also require participation every semester a student is receiving scholarship dollars beyond primary and secondary standard ensemble requirements.

Primary Ensembles (large)

Vocal

University Chorale

Worship Choir

Instrumental

Symphonic Winds
String Orchestra
Piano Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble
 

Secondary Ensembles (small)

Deliverance Five

UM Worship Collective

Guitar Ensemble

Ignite

Jazz Band

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 Christmas Spectacular, the Opera, Musical Theatre Productions and the Spring Spectacular.

Programs

• Production Technologies, B.S.
• Worship Leadership & Music, Church Ministry Track, B.S.
• Worship Leadership & Music, Education Track, B.S.
• Worship Leadership & Music, Music Business Track, B.S.

• Studio Production Minor

Courses

• MUE 311.4 Ignite
• MUE 311.8 Worship Collective

• TA 100 Music Skills
• TA 110 Communication Strategies in Entertainment Technology
• TA 111 Microphones and Theory
• TA 130 Safety in the Workplace
• TA 131 Technical Lab
• TA 180 Introduction to Sound and Lighting Technologies
• TA 201 Equipment Maintenance and Electronics
• TA 202 Critical Listening and Ear Development
• TA 251 Principles of Show Networks
• TA 252 Sequencing Technologies
• TA 280 Audio Principles and System Design
• TA 301 Concert and Event Production Strategies
• TA 311 Intro to Recording Engineering Techniques
• TA 311L Intro to Recording Engineering Techniques Lab
• TA 312 Intermediate Recording Engineering Techniques
• TA 312L Intermediate Recording Engineering Techniques Lab
• TA 337 Junior Internship
• TA 354 Spiritual Health and Disciplines in Production
• TA 362 Live Video Production
• TA 381 Intermediate Lighting Technology
• TA 411 Advanced Recording Projects
• TA 437 Senior Internship
• TA 438 Production Technologies Senior Capstone
• TA 439 Senior Seminar
• TA 461 Advanced Live Video Production
• TA 480 Advanced Live Mixing
• TA 481 Elements of Acoustical Design
• TA 482 System Design and Installation
• TA 491 Advanced Lighting Technology

• WL 011 Worship Experience and Concert Attendance
• WL 101 Inside the Music Industry
• WL 201 Survey of Technology and Media
• WL 215 Survey of the Arts in Worship
• WL 301 Copyright and Intellectual Property Law
• WL 331 Junior Project/Internship
• WL 351 Biblical Foundations of Worship
• WL 352 Relational Issues in Worship
• WL 353 Biblical Principles of Leadership
• WL 354 History and Philosophy of Worship and Music
• WL 355 Practical Skills in Worship
• WL 371 Finale I
• WL 411 The Entrepreneur Musician
• WL 412 Christian Ethics and the Performing Arts
• WL 428 Youth Music Methods and Materials
• WL 441 Senior Project
• WL 442 Internship