The Sacred Music major is for students who are preparing for careers as worship leaders, music teachers, or professional musicians. The major consists of 47 semester units in the historical, theoretical and performance aspects of music.

The goal of the major is to develop music students into fully capable Christian musicians who are able to perform, conduct and arrange quality music of many styles.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. Develop an effective music ministry in the church based on sound philosophical and educational concepts;
2. Develop, conduct, and direct graded choral and/or instrumental programs in the church or in a Christian school setting;
3. Develop and apply skills and principles necessary for leadership in contemporary music and worship;
4. Achieve expected competency in vocal and/or instrumental performance, including proficiency in piano;
5. Learn necessary skills in theory, form, and composition of music;
6. Understand the history of music in the context of the cultures out of which it developed and its relation to contemporary life and ministry; and
7. Prepare for auditions, enter the freelance music scene or prepare for graduate school.

Two emphases are available: Sacred Worship and Performance. Those choosing Sacred Worship will conduct a worship service as their senior recital, while those choosing performance will perform vocally or on their major instrument.

(A 12-unit concentration in music is available for Liberal Studies majors.)

Prerequisites for the Sacred Music major are Music Fundamentals and Piano proficiency exams. All music majors must pass a Piano Proficiency test that includes playing a prepared classical work, playing chord progressions from Roman numerals and from chord charts, harmonizing melodies, and transposing simple songs. (For details and recommended schedule for completing various parts of the test, consult with your advisor). Students who plan to major in music but who have little piano background should enroll in MUS 136 (Class Piano). It usually takes two years of study to pass the Piano Proficiency requirements.

Recital Requirements at Patten

All music majors must present a Senior Recital with the performance of 60 minutes of prepared music. The student must choose a Recital committee which is made up of his or her applied instructor and two other music faculty. All recitals must be preceded by the Pre-Recital jury, which should take place four to six weeks before the date of the Senior Recital. A part of the Senior Recital must be memorized.

The two recital options are Performance and Worship Leader. The Performance major must select repertoire from Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. No more than half of the program can be popular or gospel style music.

The Worship Leader major must choose, arrange and perform worship music of varying styles with other musicians. At least three selections must be original compositions or arrangements created by the student. Worship Leader recitals are prepared in close collaboration with the applied instructor and with input from the student's Recital committee.

Course Requirements

All students majoring in Sacred Music are required to enroll in eight semesters of music ensemble: MUS 125, Patten Symphonette or MUS 131 Patten Singers. All eight semester must be in the same major ensemble. Music Ensemble credits from other institutions do not transfer to fulfill these requirements.

Students are required to study voice, piano or their major instrument for eight semesters. A one-hour private lesson is required weekly. Each music student is charged an extra tuition fee for the applied music instruction. Music juries are held each semester during finals week. Patten University is not required to provide an accompanist.

Special Requirements for the Music Major:

1. Music majors must declare a specialization in voice, piano or an instrument.
2. Music majors taking applied lessons must perform before a faculty jury each semester.
3. Participation in a Major Ensemble is required while taking applied lessons.
4. Music majors are expected to perform regularly in the President's Recital or the Noon Recital programs, as well as perform in concerts with their Major Ensemble.

Other courses that are not required but may be taken as options:

Music Minor
A student may receive a music minor by completing 24 units of music courses.

The Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of study. Students in this program must complete 48 hours of Core General Education courses, 30-36 hours within their chosen major, 30 hours of Biblical and Theological Studies courses, and 3 hours of Christian or Community service. Each student, in consultation with his/her advisor, must declare a major no later than the end of the sophomore year. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 units of study at Patten University.