CHURCH MUSIC
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The Dordt Difference Dordt’s church music major will prepare you to serve and lead in congregational worship. Churches across the country are rediscovering and embracing historic elements of worship, often blending them with contemporary music and styles of worship, to continue the church’s rich musical and liturgical tradition. Dordt’s church music major will develop your musical skills and deepen your understanding of worship. Rooted in a biblical, Reformed understanding of worship, the program emphasizes music’s role in proclaiming the Gospel and in expressing our response in prayer and praise. Most church music directors serve as pianists, organists, or directors of choral or instrumental groups. If you’re a strong pianist, organist, vocalist, or instrumentalist; if you are interested in directing vocal or instrumental ensembles; or if you are gifted in several of these areas, this major could be an excellent choice for you.
hanDs-on oPPorTuniTies • Participate in large ensembles: Concert Band, Campus-Community Band, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Chorale • Get involved in student-led groups such as chamber ensembles and small vocal ensembles. • Take private lessons, perform in recitals, teach lessons to local students. • Play and sing in chapel, student-led worship, and area church services. • Participate in a service learning practicum in a local congregation.
Scholarships Generous scholarships are available for both entering and upperclass students interested in:
• Church music • General music • Music education • Organ
The Program The church music major builds on a comprehensive general education program that provides a context for will help you develop the maturity and responsibility you’ll need to be a discerning church musician and to effectively teach and lead your congregation.
• Piano • Voice • Worship arts
You’ll benefit from many resources unique to Dordt. Our Casavant organ is one of the largest in the Midwest, and the number of opportunities for participating in choral and instrumental ensembles is greater than at most colleges our size. Graduates often leave with more conducting experience than students get in most other programs. Being part of two conducting courses, small classes, and numerous ensembles means you’ll get individual instruction and plenty of time on the podium. Your musicianship will be grounded in music theory, music history, conducting, lessons, and ensembles, and your understanding of worship will grow through courses in the theology and practices of worship. Courses include: Foundational music courses • Foundations of Worship • Music in Worship • Choral Music Education • Orchestration • Service Learning • Courses in pedagogy • Private lessons Skilled musicians can find a variety of positions in churches as ministers of music, choral directors, organists or pianists, or a combination of these roles. Many choose to do graduate work as well.
alumni spotlight My experience at Dordt College prepared me well for a career as a church musician. The classes I took, particularly in music and theology, laid a strong foundation for my work, and the excellent private instruction I received in organ, piano, and voice were pivotal in developing my musical skills. At Dordt, my keyboard technique, ear, gesture, and knowledge of music literature were expanded and improved. I had many opportunities to play and sing at local churches, as well as to be involved in the musical community on campus. The music faculty’s commitment to excellence and their breadth of experience give a firm foundation for anyone pursuing a career in this worthy vocation. Dr. Pamela (Brinks) Compton (’99) is organist at Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California.
The Faculty Karen A. DeMol, Ph.D., emerita.Northwestern University. Aural skills.
Karen.DeMol@dordt.edu
Benjamin Kornelis, D.M.A., Michigan State University. Director of choral ensembles, choral music education John MacInnis, PhD., Florida State University. Music theory, music history, church music
Benjamin.Kornelis@dordt.edu
John.MacInnis@dordt.edu
Bradley Miedema, D.M.A. North Dakota State University. Director of instrumental ensembles, instrumental music edcation
Bradley.Miedema@dordt.edu
Adjuncts: Pamela De Haan, voice, vocal pedagogy • Matthew Geerlings, organ • Norma Snyder Jones, piano • Debora Vogel, voice • MaryLou Wielenga, piano, organ Dordt also offers private lessons for a wide range of other instruments.
August 2015