Building on the core strengths of current offerings in music through courses, ensembles and lessons, Redeemer University is launching a new music and worship program that will allow students to gain practical, hands-on experience through a variety of new experiential learning options. Graduates of the program will be well-rounded musicians who have a strong musical foundation to engage in and facilitate excellent music-making to the glory of God.
Highlights of the new program include internship opportunities, an independent study, a capstone recital/presentation, active involvement in university chapels, courses integrated with theology, history, philosophy and business, as well as audio and musical production courses. The new program will allow students to immediately begin getting hands-on experience, like involvement in chapels, in their first year of study. There are opportunities for, and plans to include, professional worship leaders as guest speakers, instructors or mentors for students to learn from and with during their time in the program, and students will be required to attend a worship symposium as part of a third-year course.
The music and worship program will set students up to succeed as they follow their callings to use their musical giftings for God's Kingdom.
"The music and worship program will set students up to succeed as they follow their callings to use their musical giftings for God's Kingdom," says Dr. Peter Neumann, vice-president, academic. "We have increased experiential learning and practical opportunities for students, providing them with training in worship musical leadership, and the ability to put this into practice starting in their first year of the program. This positions them well for exciting career paths, to serve in worship music leadership positions in churches, ensembles, and more."
The music and worship program launch is part of Redeemer's strategic plan Key Priority #2, innovating for student and graduate success. Redeemer will prepare music students to be innovative, collaborative, problem-solving critical thinkers, preparing them to share the love of Jesus Christ wherever they are called.
While the announcement of the new program means the discontinuation of the music performance stream, the new program offers enough flexibility for students to choose their own pathway if they wish to take a more performance-oriented, classical music approach. Many of the courses will also be tailored to students' interests and future career goals, and projects within the courses will be flexible in nature. Music and worship is available as a general major and a minor.
