Sacred Music Program

The Sacred Music Program of Lenoir-Rhyne University serves the changing needs of full- and part-time church musicians in the community, state, and region. The program's emphases are designed to accommodate traditional day students as well as non-traditional (evening and weekend) students working in music or another full-time career. Students may seek educational opportunities ranging from continuing education certification to a single or combination undergraduate degree. Youth in grades 3-12 may register for the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus. The Sacred Music Program trains musicians of every denomination. Persons wishing to attain certification in church music as Associates in Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may fulfill synodical academic requirements through this program and additional course offerings in Religion and Philosophy.

Major in Sacred Music

The Major in Sacred Music (131 Credit Hours) is designed for those who wish to pursue full-time careers as church musicians. The major is open to persons with a variety of performance skills--keyboard (organ or piano), voice, or instrument. Students majoring in sacred music may wish to complete the Certificate in Family Ministry (12 Credit Hours) in order to increase the options for full-time church work.

Concentration in Sacred Music

The Concentration in Sacred Music (45 Credit Hours) is designed for students majoring in areas other than music who wish to receive the basic training necessary to serve as practicing church musicians. Students are presently combining the concentration in sacred music with majors in biology, Christian education, physics, and computer science.

Enrichment Minor in Sacred Music

The Enrichment Minor in Sacred Music (24 Credit Hours) is designed for (1) the general student who wishes to gain a reading knowledge of sacred music history and practice in order to intelligently reflect on current issues in church music, and, (2) the music major who seeks preparation as a church musician.

Evening University Concentration in Sacred Music and Ministry

The Sacred Music and Ministry Concentration (57 Credit Hours) is designed for those persons who wish to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree through Evening University. This General Studies program emphasizes the acquisition of musical and relational skills necessary for ministry in parish settings. Courses are selected from the sacred music course sequence, and from offerings from Religion, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. For ELCA students, courses fulfill AIM Certification requirements.

Continuing Education Certificates in Sacred Music

The Applied Continuing Education Certificate in Sacred Music (18-19 Credit Hours) is presented to those who participate in selected workshops, complete six hours of required courses, eight hours of electives, and four hours of applied instruction, including a course in service playing.

The Enrichment Continuing Education Certificate in Sacred Music (12 Credit Hours) is presented to those who complete courses in worship, hymnody, the history of sacred music, and critical issues in church music.

Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus

The Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus (LRYC) trains youth (grades 3-12) in the choral art and introduces them to a diversity of sacred music literature. The Chorus participates in events of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Music program in addition to sponsoring its own concert series. It also serves as a teaching ensemble for sacred music students.

Special Events

The Sacred Music Program sponsors hymn festivals, organ recitals, concerts, workshops, convocations and clinics. Continuing Education Units (C.E.U.s) are available.

Environment

Sacred music students at Lenoir-Rhyne form a unique, caring community within the student body. Students are encouraged to seek their call from God to service in the church. Participation in weekly chapel and in chapel choir fosters a deep sense of prayer within the community. Though not espousing a particular worship style, the Sacred Music Program does celebrate the rich musical and liturgical traditions of the church, particularly, the Lutheran heritage upon which Lenoir-Rhyne University is founded.

All inquiries concerning the Sacred Music Program should be addressed to:

The Reverend Dr. Paul Weber
P.O. Box 7355
Hickory, North Carolina 28603
(828)328-7149

E-mail weber_pd@lrc.edu or fill out the Music Information Request Card.