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.
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.
Joseph R. Crider
Professor of Church Music and Worship
Charles T. Lewis Jr.
Professor of Church Music and Worship
Ben Caston
Partnering Faculty
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Alison Beck
Adjunct Professor of Piano
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James R. Brown
Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology
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J. Blake Carpenter
Adjunct Professor of French
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James Cheesman
Adjunct Professor of Worship
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Adam Covington
Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology
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Will Douglas
Artist in Residence, Guitar
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John Duncan
Senior Professor of Church Music and Worship
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Donna Hopson
Adjunct Professor of Piano
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William Hughes
Adjunct Professor of Voice
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Seon-Young Im
Adjunct Professor of Piano
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Ricky Johnson
Artist in Residence, Director of Bands
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Jung Eun (Jennifer) Kim
Adjunct Professor of Theory and Composition
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J.P. Kwok
Adjunct Professor of Worship Technology
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Katie Mersch
Adjunct Professor of Voice
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Matthew Naizer
Adjunct Professor of Guitar
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Jason Nichols
Adjunct Professor of Voice
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Matthew Perkinson
Adjunct Professor of Worship
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Jill Sprenger
Adjunct Professor of Piano
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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.
You can experience the performances of many of these ensembles through one of our many music videos:

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.

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.
For Prospective Students
Auditions, Placement, Examinations, and Orientation
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
- October 20, 2023
- February 23, 2024
- April 5, 2024
- Special Appointment
- Virtual
- Prepare & Register for Your Audition
New Student Orientation
Graduate and Doctoral Audition Requirements
Current Student Resources
Academic Manuals and Seminar Projections
Health and Safety Information
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.