Theological, Musical and Liturgical Preparation for
Careers in Church Music
In an increasingly global society, there is a growing need for church musicians who are prepared to minister a traditional, yet widely diverse culture.
This degree program is designed for musicians who are serving or
intend to serve in the church's ministry of music. It may be earned in two
years of full-time study or in an equivalent amount of part-time work.
Its purpose is to prepare "cantors" or "pastoral musicians" for their ministry,
and it offers theological, liturgical, pastoral, and musical preparation for
ministry in the life of the church. Because the Sunday liturgy gives the
Christian community its identity and mission, the pastoral musician works at
the very heart of the identity and mission of the church.
Trinity’s Master of Arts in Church Music degree is approved by the Association
of Theological Schools, and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Please note that the purposes of this degree differ from and are broader than
those of degrees from schools of music which are accredited by the National
Association of Schools of Music.
The spring of 2002 saw the opening of a new digital, multimedia computer lab
for students in the music program. This lab features all new equipment and
allows students the ability to compose, transcribe, record and edit music of
all types. Each of the five multimedia stations is equipped with headphones
and keyboard as part of the configuration as well as software based digital
synthesizer and music mixing packages.
Students experience and articulate the integration of music, theology, and worship through an intentionally interdisciplinary curriculum. The capacity for constructive theological reflection is stimulated in an environment where students can also further develop their musical skills through performance and composition. Students become sensitized to the wide range of musical, spiritual, liturgical, theological, and aesthetic considerations necessary as a cantor/minister of music. Students also actively learn by planning, preparing, collaborating, coordinating, implementing, observing and reflecting.
The worship life of the Trinity community is broad and deep. There are daily opportunities for worship, which center around Wednesday Eucharist. Planning of worship is shared by faculty, students, and staff under the direction of the Worship Life coordinator. Worship and the arts are central to the life of the community at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. This is the context in which Trinity's Master of Arts in Church Music program has its life.
Unique to Trinity's program is the three-week summer session in June. Musicians come from across the country to take courses during three weeks of intensive study and participation in worship. Participants are also able to attend the summer concert series, Tuesdays at Trinity. One-week music courses are offered in the afternoons; three week theology and liturgical choir courses are scheduled in the morning. Master of Arts in Church Music students direct the Liturgical Choir which sings daily in summer term. The summer program provides the opportunity for musicians to continue their current church position while earning the Master of Arts in Church Music degree over several summers.
The ministry of the musician is not derived from that of the pastor, nor
is it dependent on or subordinate to that of the pastor. The ministry of
music derives from the character of the Gospel. The Kingdom of God has
begun and is moving in history toward its consummation and final victory.
Therefore the church, which is created by the final redeeming event of
Jesus, must sing the new song of the Kingdom of God.
The ministry of the musician is to facilitate the singing of the new
song so that the church can be what God calls it to be and do what God
calls it to do. The musician plans how this shall be done in the assembly
by composing and by drawing on the compositions of others, by mixing
repetition and variety, by facilitating the "conversation" between leaders
and congregations, by using a variety of instrumental and vocal soloists
and ensembles to supplement and/or support the congregation. The musician
plans how this shall be done by taking into account the limitations,
abilities, and tastes of the congregation, and also by identifying and
utilizing the rich variety of gifts with which God has gifted the
congregation, and indeed, the universal church.
Excerpt from a speech by Walter R Bouman
Pastors and Musicians: Partners in Proclamation,
Association of Lutheran Church Musicians,
Region Ill Conference, 1988
Indeed, l plainly judge and do not hesitate to affirm, that except for
theology there is no art that could be put on the same level with music,
since except for theology [music] alone produces what otherwise only
theology can do, namely, a calm and joyful disposition. Manifest proof
[of this is the fact] that the devil, the creator of saddening cares
and disquieting worries, takes flight at the sound of music almost as
he takes flight at the word of theology.
From a letter which Luther wrote while at the Coburg
to Louis Senfl on October 4, 1530.
Luther's Works, vol. 49
May Schwarz, Director
Master of Arts in Church Music Program
Music@TrinityLutheranSeminary.edu
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