School of Church Music & Worship

Biblically faithful. Musically excellent. Ministry driven.

At Southwestern Seminary’s School of Church Music and Worship, you will grow as a musical artist at a fully accredited NASM school of music, you will receive theological education only a seminary can provide, and you will develop a heart to minister in the local church and throughout the world.

The School of Church Music and Worship offers an excellent and comprehensive music education within a Christian context. Our students receive a strong biblical foundation for the role of music in worship, a practical guide to ministry, and professional preparation in music. A unique feature of Southwestern’s music degrees is the combination of in-depth theological studies with training for musical excellence.

Our graduates are not only thoroughly prepared in their chosen field, but they readily find places of service around the world.

Auditions
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Faculty

Our full-time music professors possess world-class credentials, a multitude of experiences, and a passion for using music for the glory of God. They, as well as our numerous artists-in-residence and adjuncts from the vibrant Dallas-Fort Worth music community, will challenge and inspire you.

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Joseph R. Crider
Dean of the School of Church Music and Worship;
Professor of Church Music and Worship
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Charles T. Lewis Jr.
Associate Dean of the School of Church Music and Worship;
Professor of Church Music and Worship
Ben-Caston

Ben Caston
Professor of Voice

Meet the School of Church Music and Worship Faculty

Partnering Faculty

  • Alison Beck

    Adjunct Professor of Piano

  • James R. Brown

    Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology

  • J. Blake Carpenter

    Adjunct Professor of French

  • James Cheesman

    Adjunct Professor of Worship

  • Adam Covington

    Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology

  • Will Douglas

    Artist in Residence, Guitar

  • John Duncan

    Senior Professor of Church Music and Worship

  • Donna Hopson

    Adjunct Professor of Piano

  • William Hughes

    Adjunct Professor of Voice

  • Seon-Young Im

    Adjunct Professor of Piano

  • Ricky Johnson

    Artist in Residence, Director of Bands

  • Jung Eun (Jennifer) Kim

    Adjunct Professor of Theory and Composition

  • J.P. Kwok

    Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology

  • Katie Mersch

    Adjunct Professor of Voice

  • Matthew Naizer

    Adjunct Professor of Guitar

  • Jason Nichols

    Adjunct Professor of Voice

  • Matthew Perkinson

    Adjunct Professor of Worship

  • Jill Sprenger

    Adjunct Professor of Piano

  • David Toscano

    Adjunct Professor of Electric Guitar

Degree Programs

Performance Opportunities

In addition to solo performing opportunities in recitals and master classes, the School of Church Music and Worship offers a variety of ensembles for students to gain experience in their performing areas and to acquaint themselves with a wide range of repertoire, from the masterpieces of oratorio literature to the latest in worship music for the church. Above all, the ensembles provide the opportunity for glorious moments of communal music making.

Fall 2023 Performance Calendar

You can experience the performances of many of these ensembles through one of our many music videos:

Wsingers

The Southwestern Music Academy

The mission of the Southwestern Music Academy is threefold: to offer quality music instruction to children and adults of all ages, to provide a venue for School of Church Music and Worship music majors to gain valuable teaching experience before graduation, and to serve as a vehicle of outreach to the neighborhood children and community.

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Artistic Theologian

Artistic Theologian is a ministry of the Southwestern Seminary School of Church Music and Worship and exists to provide quality resources to equip churches for worship that is biblically faithful, musically excellent, and ministry focused.

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For Prospective Students

Auditions, Placement, Examinations, and Orientation

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Every new music student will audition and take placement examinations prior to registering for the first semester. Normally, students are not excluded on the basis of these auditions and examinations, and appropriate leveling work will be assigned as needed.

Former students who have not been enrolled in music courses for more than five years will also audition and take placement examinations.

The School of Church Music and Worship provides an orientation period prior to the beginning of classes for the fall and spring semesters. All new music students at every degree level are required to participate during their first semester. Students entering during the summer session will attend orientation before the following fall semester.

Auditions for our ministry-based ensembles, graduate assistantships, and scholarships occur yearly in the spring and fall months.

Upcoming Audition Dates

New Student Orientation

Graduate and Doctoral Audition Requirements

Current Student Resources

Academic Manuals and Seminar Projections

Health and Safety Information

Forms

Got Questions?

We’re here to answer them. Reach out to our Admissions Team and we’ll be in touch by phone, text, or email.

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