Music: Elective Studies (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts in music – elective studies, is designed for students who desire to add more curriculum choice to their foundational studies in musicianship and performance. There is a focus on breadth rather than specialized depth in this program. It can allow a student to pursue courses outside the music curriculum to focus acutely on expanding their collegiate and career aims.
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts
Majors: Music and Biblical Studies
Major Mission: This program will train students to enter a variety of non-performance music fields to reach the arts culture both in society and the church, proclaiming Christ from a biblical worldview, using both their words and their lives. This program will also develop highly skilled artists to influence culture with grace and truth.
Program Requirements:
Continuation in MWPA Programs
Upon completion of 42 credits and/or during the second semester Sophomore year, the MWPA Faculty will vote on the student’s formal acceptance into the specific program leading toward graduation.
Criteria for formal acceptance:
- Satisfactory evaluation of jury performance (2 semesters)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average)
- Professional GPA of 2.7 (B- average)
- Applied GPA of 3.0 (B average)
- Attendance at required departmental events
- Participation in and attendance at departmental performance events
Probation
For freshmen, if applied gpa is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional gpa is between 2.0-2.7, student will be on probation for sophomore year.
For sophomores, if applied gpa is between 2.0-3.0 and/or professional gpa is between 2.0-2.7, student will meet with the department chair to determine continued action plan.
If applied and/or professional gpa is below 2.0, students will be asked to find another major.
Program Director:
Dr. Paul Thorlakson. As a seasoned performer, conductor, church musician, educator, and administrator, Paul Thorlakson brings breadth of experience to his role of advisor to this program.
Faculty List:
Rob Bigley, DMA
Jeffrey Martin, MMus
Rachel Sidebothom, MMus
Ryan Shenk, MA
Paul Thorlakson, DMA
Program Outcomes:
Students will:
- Technical: Demonstrate foundational musicianship skills.
- Faith Integration: Describe and demonstrate the integration of Biblical worldview in life and career as musicians
- Apply historical and theoretical understanding to the analysis, performance, and creation of musical forms, processes, and structures found in representative examples from the western music tradition.
- Demonstrate foundational leadership skills in a selected musical area(s) either through free electives or a cognate of courses in a particular area.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of diverse historic backgrounds and the modern context in the chosen general music studies area(s).
Music Major Curriculum
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| LBC 100 | Foundations Seminar | 1 |
| THE 105 | Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies | 3 |
| LAN 101 | College Composition and Research | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MUS 101 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUL 101 | Piano Lab I | 1 |
| MUS 101L | Musicianship I Lab | 1 |
| MWP 102 | Intro to Music, Worship, & the Performing Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 106 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 |
| LAN 104 | Public Speaking | 3 |
MAT ____
| MAT Core | 3 |
ENS ____
| Large Ensemble (ENS 101, ENS 102, ENS 103, 105, or ENS 130) | 1 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MUL 102 | Piano Lab II | 1 |
| MUS 102 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 102L | Musicianship II Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| HIS 224 | History of Christian Song | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (NC) | 0 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MUS 201 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 201L | Musicianship Lab III | 1 |
| CSV 201 | Christian Service I | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
LIT ____
| LIT Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (secondary) | 1 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (NC) | 0 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
____ ____
| Major Elective | 3 |
| CSV 202 | Christian Service II | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Junior Year
Fall Semester
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
| HUM 340 | Music History II | 3 |
____ ____
| Human Culture Elective | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (NC) | 0 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MWP 301 | Worship & Performing Arts Internship I | 0 |
____ ____
| Major Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring Semester
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
| BOT 210 | Psalms | 3 |
| HUM 240 | Music History I | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (NC) | 0 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MWP 302 | Worship & Performing Arts Internship II | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Senior Year
Fall Semester
BNT ____
| Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
THE ____
| Theology Elective | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MWP 400 | MWPA Cross Cultural Externship | 0 |
____ ____
| Major Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
| HUM 440 | Music History III | 3 |
SCI ____
| SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits | 4 |
____ ____
| Major Elective | 3 |
ENS ____
| Ensemble (primary) | 1 |
MAP ____
| Applied Music Lesson | 1 |
| MAP 100 | MPWA Forum | 0 |
| MPR 399 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MWP 450 | Worship and Performing Arts Practicum | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |