The worship arts major prepares you to minister in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Christian music industry. With GU’s strong tradition in music and more than a century of preparing men and women for full-time Christian service, you’ll be equipped to minister and lead worship in various settings.
This program prepares you musically and theologically to serve in ministry in the church, in the world of Christian worship music and in ministry beyond the church. GU worship arts students are sought after to lead worship even while they are students. Opportunities to hone your skills include "Pursuit" our on-campus worship bands, who lead campus services and travel to off-campus events throughout the semester. Internships help you grow even more so that you come out of college prepared to take on this critical area of ministry.
Hone your musical talent with your desire to glorify God with internship opportunities at churches and organizations around the nation. Join GU’s Pursuit team to lead worship at various Christian gatherings during your undergraduate study. Plug into one of the many student bands on campus.
Music industry faculty
Learn from faculty with extensive experience in the music industry, including writing and composing worship songs, playing in professional bands, and serving in full-time worship ministry.
Professional worship opportunities
Join GU’s Pursuit team and lead worship professionally at rallies, camps, and conferences while still an undergraduate. Earn money and scholarships as a part of the Summer Pursuit touring band.
Why GU
Learn from experts. Learn from faculty with extensive experience in the music industry, including writing and composing worship songs, playing in professional bands, and full-time worship ministry.
Unique worship experiences. Gain incredible experiences and develop friendships by collaborating to lead worship at chapel, Spanish chapel, vespers services, and touring events in one of our Pursuit bands; sing in traditional and gospel choirs.
Effective networking. GU’s alumni network includes many individuals working in worship arts and the wider music industry, giving you the connections you need to get started.
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Success Stories
This program has equipped me for ministry through practical, hands-on experience, biblical teaching and instruction, and Christ-centered mentorship. I am so thankful for the quality and intentionality of this program and its instructors.
-Brian Wells, worship arts and music industry studies major
This course explores digital media as an experimental cultural practice, with an emphasis on critical approaches to art and technology. Experiments in digital imaging, digital audio, digital video, and multi-media authoring will be conducted. Students will produce independent digital media production projects, individually and in groups. Course meetings include seminar-style discussion of reading and other materials, critiques of student work, tech workshops, production studios (session in which we brainstorm, research ideas, and work on projects), and screenings. (Offered every semester.)
Provides the skill set for reading and playing piano in commercial styles. Emphasis will be placed on reading chord charts, using the Nashville Number system, improvisation, chord voicing and inversions. A main emphasis will be to have the students be able to accompany themselves on piano/keyboard. The course is taken concurrently with MUTH 110 Commercial Music Theory. (Offered spring semester.)
This course will provide students with the functional skills on the piano including the ability to develop basic technique, ability to play chord progressions, read, harmonize, transpose, improvise, and compose.
Prerequisite: MUAP 110. (Offered spring semester.)
Recital Class is designated as a requirement for all music majors, who must attend 12 concerts per semester. Music minors need to attend 9 concerts per semester and must be registred for Recital Class during the semesters they are taking applied lessons. Music majors are required to take this course every semester they are attending classes on campus.
This course will serve as a basis for creating a foundation in keeping a connection between a students faith, how it can be used through the gift of music, and how to use those gifts to affect culture in a positive manner. Various types of music and their connection to culture as well as how todays culture affects students, music, and faith will be explored. (Offered fall semester.)
This course is designed to provide a strong foundation and explores the various understandings and concepts of worship leading. The course will cover the importance of having a firm biblical foundation and a solid theology of worship, and how to present that within a worship set. Students will gain an understanding of the potential problems and pitfalls of worship leadership and how to deal with those challenges.
(Offered every semester)
This course is designed to give students a broad base of background and introduction to the various areas of music technology. The student will be introduced to and will have the ability to explore and practice specific techniques required in creating computer-aided scores of their original compositions. Students will create multiple recordings of their own original scores as well as directed assignments in the areas of locking sound to video and scoring for a short film. Prerequisite: MUAP110 and MUTH110.
Course Fee: $50
Worship Arts in the 21st Century is designed to examine how Worship Arts worked 'yesterday', how it operates 'today' and to project how it is changing for 'tomorrow' with the intent of better aligning ourselves with practices to make a better connection with both believers and non-believers.
Introduces students to the historical, theological and philosophical foundations of music in Christian worship, providing instruction in the leadership and management of central musical acts within the Christian community, including singing and the use of instruments. Prereq: MUSG 164. (Offered fall semester of even calender years)
This course will explore the integration of various ethnic cultures in Christian worship songs in North American Churches. It also will examine African, African-American, Latino, Caribbean, and Asian worship music. The primary goal of this course is to raise awareness and equip students to value, plan, and lead worship music for a diverse congregation. The course will include discussions, music listening examples, and a group visit to a church in St. Louis. No particular music skills are required to take this course. Meets the general education global foundations requirement.
Prerequisite: MUSG 164 or THEO 110. (Offered Interterm)
This course will survey various styles of American popular music from the early 20th century through the present. Students will have an active role in class meetings, providing examples from personal experiences as sources for class discussion. Genres covered include jazz, country, rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop, urban fold, and more. Students are encouraged to have some experience in the fundamentals of music before enrolling. Meets the general education creative and performing arts requirement.
This seminar is designed as a capstone course in the CCM degree and is the bookend course to MUSG 150 Faith, Music, Culture. The goal of the course is to empower students to go out into their world after they graduate and reaffirm their ability to make a positive difference through their interactions with their culture. How students can be a Christian witness to a post-modern world will be explored. Meets the general education upper division writing intensive requirement. (Offered spring semester.)
This course will be taken for pass/fail credit.
This course integrates discussion with various ministry leaders, a local ministry application project, and attendance of the Calvin Worship Symposium in Grand Rapids, MI. We will address a variety of real-world worship ministry needs, practical technology skills, worship sources for the modern worship leader, and designing worship as discipleship. Prerequisites: MUSG 301 or MUSG 302. Fee $300
This course is specifically designed for Music Industry Studies majors. It will enable students to learn basic music theory concepts and some aural skills which will relate to the contemporary music industry. (Offered spring semester.)
This course will prepare the student to thrive in real world situations s/he may encounter as an artist and/or composer in the music field. Skills to be learned in this course include: chord construction and nomenclature, scales, basic pop music arranging, ear training, and keyboard/guitar accompaniment.
Prerequisite: MUTH 104 or MUTH 110. (Offered fall semester.)
A continuation in study of MUTH 305.
Prerequisite: MUTH 305. (Offered spring semester.)
Prepares the student for admission to the Christian ministerial education program. Topics such as understanding God's call, grace-gifts, the different personalities of churches, church growth, church relationships, spiritual journeying, and Christian worship will be examined. Open to second semester freshmen and to sophomores. Required for admission to practica required in the fields of Christian ministry. (Offered fall semester.)
This course studies standard conducting patterns, develops the skill of both hand and baton directing, and emphasizes development of listening and leadership skills.
Prerequisite: MUTH 305. (Offered spring of odd calendar years.)
This course introduces students to the language and various elements of Christian worship and provides instruction in the theology and leadership of central liturgical events within the Christian community, including weddings, funerals, and the sacraments of baptism and the eucharist.
Prerequisite: BIBL 205 or BIBL 215. (Offered spring semester.)
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: 411C
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: 212G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411G
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 111K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 112K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 211K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 212K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 311K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 312K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 411K
Course Fee: $770
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211P
Course fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411P
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411S
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211V
Course Fee:$385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411V
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUPA 112W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 412W
Course Fee: $385
This group performs at various athletic events. All members of the College community (not just music majors) are invited to participate. (Offered every semester.)
The Greenville University Choir, founded by Professor Robert W. Woods in 1927, has become an outstanding symbol of the University. It offers students throughout the University an opportunity to sing exemplary sacred choral literature in an excellent mixed choir setting. Numerous concerts are given during the year including an extended annual tour. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year long commitment. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
Chorale is a mixed choir which focuses on music reading and vocal technique. As part of the Greenville Choral Union, Chorale performs large scale choral orchestral works such as Handel's "Messiah". Membership is open to all students and the community and an assessment audition is required. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN143 Fusion Ensemble (1 Credit)
This ensemble explores the various understandings and concepts of worship leading. Students will gain practical experience in contemporary worship methods and will have multiple opportunities to tour as a ministry team. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Members are admitted by audition. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a 21 st century keyboard orchestra utilizing state of the art digital keyboards and synthesizers. The touring ensemble will perform a variety of styles from Bach to Brubeck. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. This ensemble is available by audition for piano students from the College. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various types of college functions. All members of the College or community playing a traditional stringed instrument are invited to participate. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN150 Gospel Choir (0.5 Credit)
This ensemble, open to all students regardless of major, will act as the marching band during football season and then transition to concert band for the remainder of the year. (Offered Fall and Spring.)
MUEN161 Jazz Ensemble (1 Credit)
May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement.
Chamber Singers is a select vocal ensemble which performs sacred and secular literature from the 16th century to the present day. Concurrent enrollment in the Greenville University Choir is required. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Membership is by invitation. May be applied to fulfill the fine creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a flexible group instrumentation. (Offered irregularly.)
This small ensemble provides students with practical opportunities to create and perform contemporary (pop, rock, and CCM) music. Groups rather than individuals audition for a lab band. Auditions begin three weeks after the beginning of each semester, allowing students to form their own bands before tryouts. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various athletic events. All members of the College community (not just music majors) are invited to participate. (Offered every semester.)
The Greenville University Choir, founded by Professor Robert W. Woods in 1927, has become an outstanding symbol of the University. It offers students throughout the University an opportunity to sing exemplary sacred choral literature in an excellent mixed choir setting. Numerous concerts are given during the year including an extended annual tour. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year long commitment. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
Chorale is a mixed choir which focuses on music reading and vocal technique. As part of the Greenville Choral Union, Chorale performs large scale choral orchestral works such as Handel's "Messiah". Membership is open to all students and the community and an assessment audition is required. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN343 Fusion Ensemble (1 Credit)
This ensemble explores the various understandings and concepts of worship leading. Students will gain practical experience in contemporary worship methods and will have multiple opportunities to tour as a ministry team. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Members are admitted by audition. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a 21st century keyboard orchestra utilizing state of the art digital keyboards and synthesizers. The touring ensemble will perform a variety of styles from Bach to Brubeck. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. This ensemble is available by audition for piano students from the College. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various types of college functions. All members of the College or community playing a traditional stringed instrument are invited to participate. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN350 Gospel Choir (0.5 Credit)
This ensemble, open to all students regardless of major, will act as the marching band during the football season and then transition to concert band for the remainder of the year. (Offered Fall and Spring.)
MUEN361 Jazz Ensemble (1 Credit)
May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement.
Chamber Singers is a select vocal ensemble which performs sacred and secular literature from the 16 th century to the present day. Concurrent enrollment in the Greenville University Choir is required. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Membership is by invitation. May be applied to fulfill the fine creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a flexible group instrumentation. (Offered irregularly.)
This small ensemble provides students with practical opportunities to create and perform contemporary (pop, rock, and CCM) music. Groups rather than individuals audition for a lab band. Auditions begin three weeks after the beginning of each semester, allowing students to form their own bands before tryouts. (Offered every semester.)
This course focuses on the signal flow, microphone techniques, foundational and in-depth information of Pro Tools and studio recording techniques. It is based primarily on a "hands-on" approach offering substantial studio time for group and individual projects.
Prerequisite: MUSG226. (Offered every semester.)
Course Fee: $50
Concert Production is a course designed to expand the skill set of the live audio engineer - to provide a set of related skills to provide the students with a wider foundation for better marketability in looking for future employment. The skills to be focused on are Lighting Design, Live Multi-Track Concert Recording and Concert Management. We will be doing a number of hands-on practical projects to provide further experience in these areas.
Prerequisites: MUSG 227 and MUSG 229. (Offered fall semester.)
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411B
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312C
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: 411C
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: 212G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312G
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411G
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 111K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 112K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 211K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 212K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 311K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 312K
Course Fee: $770
Prerequisite: MUAP 411K
Course Fee: $770
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211P
Course fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312P
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411P
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312S
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411S
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 112V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211V
Course Fee:$385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 411V
Course Fee: $385
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 111W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUPA 112W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 211W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 212W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 311V
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 312W
Course Fee: $385
Prerequisite: MUAP 412W
Course Fee: $385
This group performs at various athletic events. All members of the College community (not just music majors) are invited to participate. (Offered every semester.)
The Greenville University Choir, founded by Professor Robert W. Woods in 1927, has become an outstanding symbol of the University. It offers students throughout the University an opportunity to sing exemplary sacred choral literature in an excellent mixed choir setting. Numerous concerts are given during the year including an extended annual tour. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year long commitment. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
Chorale is a mixed choir which focuses on music reading and vocal technique. As part of the Greenville Choral Union, Chorale performs large scale choral orchestral works such as Handel's "Messiah". Membership is open to all students and the community and an assessment audition is required. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN143 Fusion Ensemble (1 Credit)
This ensemble explores the various understandings and concepts of worship leading. Students will gain practical experience in contemporary worship methods and will have multiple opportunities to tour as a ministry team. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Members are admitted by audition. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a 21 st century keyboard orchestra utilizing state of the art digital keyboards and synthesizers. The touring ensemble will perform a variety of styles from Bach to Brubeck. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. This ensemble is available by audition for piano students from the College. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various types of college functions. All members of the College or community playing a traditional stringed instrument are invited to participate. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN150 Gospel Choir (0.5 Credit)
This ensemble, open to all students regardless of major, will act as the marching band during football season and then transition to concert band for the remainder of the year. (Offered Fall and Spring.)
MUEN161 Jazz Ensemble (1 Credit)
May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement.
Chamber Singers is a select vocal ensemble which performs sacred and secular literature from the 16th century to the present day. Concurrent enrollment in the Greenville University Choir is required. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Membership is by invitation. May be applied to fulfill the fine creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a flexible group instrumentation. (Offered irregularly.)
This small ensemble provides students with practical opportunities to create and perform contemporary (pop, rock, and CCM) music. Groups rather than individuals audition for a lab band. Auditions begin three weeks after the beginning of each semester, allowing students to form their own bands before tryouts. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various athletic events. All members of the College community (not just music majors) are invited to participate. (Offered every semester.)
The Greenville University Choir, founded by Professor Robert W. Woods in 1927, has become an outstanding symbol of the University. It offers students throughout the University an opportunity to sing exemplary sacred choral literature in an excellent mixed choir setting. Numerous concerts are given during the year including an extended annual tour. Membership is by audition and includes the expectation of a year long commitment. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
Chorale is a mixed choir which focuses on music reading and vocal technique. As part of the Greenville Choral Union, Chorale performs large scale choral orchestral works such as Handel's "Messiah". Membership is open to all students and the community and an assessment audition is required. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN343 Fusion Ensemble (1 Credit)
This ensemble explores the various understandings and concepts of worship leading. Students will gain practical experience in contemporary worship methods and will have multiple opportunities to tour as a ministry team. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Members are admitted by audition. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a 21st century keyboard orchestra utilizing state of the art digital keyboards and synthesizers. The touring ensemble will perform a variety of styles from Bach to Brubeck. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. This ensemble is available by audition for piano students from the College. (Offered every semester.)
This group performs at various types of college functions. All members of the College or community playing a traditional stringed instrument are invited to participate. May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
MUEN350 Gospel Choir (0.5 Credit)
This ensemble, open to all students regardless of major, will act as the marching band during the football season and then transition to concert band for the remainder of the year. (Offered Fall and Spring.)
MUEN361 Jazz Ensemble (1 Credit)
May be applied to fulfill the creative and performing arts general education requirement.
Chamber Singers is a select vocal ensemble which performs sacred and secular literature from the 16 th century to the present day. Concurrent enrollment in the Greenville University Choir is required. Students are expected to remain in the ensemble for the full year. Membership is by invitation. May be applied to fulfill the fine creative and performing arts general education requirement. (Offered every semester.)
This ensemble is a flexible group instrumentation. (Offered irregularly.)
This small ensemble provides students with practical opportunities to create and perform contemporary (pop, rock, and CCM) music. Groups rather than individuals audition for a lab band. Auditions begin three weeks after the beginning of each semester, allowing students to form their own bands before tryouts. (Offered every semester.)
This course will provide the student with a hands-on experience in utilizing digital media, the internet, and social networking. Each student will utilize video equipment and the internet to promote a group of people (maybe a team, a club, a cause, etc.). A prime goal of this experience will be to create a community following. Blogs, fan pages, text messaging and video sharing services will be utilized. This course can be taken two times for credit.
Prerequisite: DMDA120.
