Master of Music in Church Music

School of Church Music and Worship

Master of Music in Church Music

Advanced training in church music

The Master of Music in Church Music (MMCM) is designed to provide advanced training in church music and an applied concentration. Additionally, the degree provides a strong foundation in biblical and theological studies.

Degree Highlights

  • 49 hours
  • 3 available concentrations
  • Prepares for church ministry or specialized careers in music

At Southwestern Seminary, ministry training includes both classroom learning and hands-on experience. Because of this, all students in the School of Church Music and Worship are required to minister in the music program of a local church or organization during the time they are enrolled in their degree programs.

EASTER SATURDAY 2022

Student Testimony

Available Concentrations

  • Voice Performance and Pedagogy
  • Piano Performance and Pedagogy
  • Guitar Performance and Pedagogy

Concentrations

In addition to the theology, worship, and music courses in the MMCM common hours, students will choose an applied area of concentration, which is the equivalent of a second major, from (1) Voice Performance and Pedagogy, (2) Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and (3) Guitar Performance and Pedagogy.

For admittance into the concentration, students are required to audition in advance of matriculation, either in person on the Fort Worth campus or by submitting a digital audition. Prospective students should consult the School of Church Music and Worship page for details on scheduling or submitting an audition.

For a voice audition, the student should sing from memory three selections from art song, opera, and oratorio literature, one of which must be sung in English. The other two selections should represent two other languages from the following: Italian, German, and French.

For a piano audition, the student should perform from memory at least two pieces from different periods and styles, representing the highest level of achievement.

For a guitar audition, the student should perform at least two contrasting pieces or etudes demonstrating the ability to perform at a graduate level. In addition, for all concentrations, the student should provide recital programs and recordings for review if available.

For their respective applied concentration, students should show transcript evidence of pedagogy and literature courses, and, for voice concentrations, courses in English, Italian, German, and French diction. Such coursework not on the transcript must be taken at Southwestern Seminary as leveling courses.

Completing Your Degree

Grades

MMCM students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.00.

Time Limit

The MMCM degree requires at least four semesters for completion. The degree must be completed within a period of seven years from the time of admission. Extensions may be granted to students who are serving in an international mission field.

Comprehensive Examinations

Written and oral comprehensive examinations are required to complete the degree and are normally given about four to six weeks before graduation. If the student does not pass comprehensive examinations, they may be retaken.

To be permitted to take comprehensive examinations, the MMCM student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Satisfactory completion of all leveling courses with a grade of “C” or better
    Passing of voice and piano proficiencies before registering for comprehensive examinations
  • Satisfactory completion of all music courses (or concurrent enrollment in all remaining courses)
  • Attainment of required grade point average (2.00)
  • Completion of preliminary recital
  • Enrollment in MMCM Comprehensive Examinations (MUMST 4990)

Degree Requirements

COURSE TITLECOURSE NUMBERHOURS
Spiritual FormationSPFRM 30222
Systematic Theology ISYSTH 30533
Systematic Theology II or IIISYSTH 3063 or SYSTH 30733
Old Testament I or IIOLDTS 3313 or 33233
New Testament I or IINEWTS 3313 or 33233
Baptist HeritageBPTST 32033
The Church Gathered: Theology of WorshipWORSP 43233
Congregational SongWORSP 42222
Philosophy of Worship MinistryWORSP 43122
Seminar in AnalysisMUTHY 44422
Introduction to Music ResearchMUHST 41022
Select two courses:Select two4
Music in the Baroque and Classical PeriodsMUHST 4132
Music in the Nineteenth CenturyMUHST 4142
Music in the Twentieth CenturyMUHST 41522
Sacred Choral MasterworksMUHST 42722
Performance Lab (two semesters)PFMLB 30100
Piano ProficiencyPIACL 48700
Voice ProficiencyVOICL 49700
Music School OrientationORIEN 40000
M.M.C.M. Comprehensive ExaminationsMUMST 49900
Total Common Hours32
Concentration Hours17
Total Degree Hours49

Concentrations:

COURSE TITLECOURSE NUMBERHOURS
M.M.C.M. Voice IVOIPR 49122
M.M.C.M. Voice IIVOIPR 49222
M.M.C.M. Voice IIIVOIPR 49822
M.M.C.M. Voice IV and RecitalVOIPR 49922
Voice Master Class (must enroll concurrently with applied study)VOIPR 49000
Theology of PedagogyWORSP 49322
Seminar in Voice PedagogyVOIPR 49522
Seminar in Solo Vocal Literature IVOICL 49111
Seminar in Solo Vocal Literature IIVOICL 49211
Seminar in Sacred Solo Vocal LiteratureVOICL 49411
Southwestern Singers (two semesters)ENSEM 36581
Vocal Ensemble (two semesters)ENSEM 3xx81

Total Hours
49

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