Music 552

I. Course Title: Church Accompanying

II. Course Number: MUSC 552

III. Credit Hours: 1 credit

IV. Prerequisites: Audition and instructor permission

V. Course Description: 

This course will prepare students to participate in a variety of church services on the keyboard.

Students will study the various structures and sequences of different denominations and orders of worship, gain an appreciation for the role of music within each service, and develop keyboard skills (following a choir director, rehearsal techniques, improvisation on a melody, congregational hymn playing, basic organ skills) to best contribute to the service.

The final project of the course will be students’ involvement in an actual service at a local church, demonstrating their preparation, performance skills, and collaborative spirit in aiding a congregation in worship.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course will expose students to the many capacities in which music and the keyboard can contribute to a variety of church services, and will equip them with the practical skills and experience to participate in a variety of live worship settings.

Graduate credit: Graduate students will be expected to prepare significantly more advance material, aid in leading the choir in rehearsal, and participate more heavily in the final service “performance”.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The course will be divided between class lecture and masterclass/individual performance coachings.

Lectures will focus on:

1. History of ancient church and its connection with Western classical music
2. History of musical incorporation in various faiths and denominations
3. Accepted order of services across various faiths and denominations
4. Choosing appropriate musical selections for a given week’s readings and teachings
5. Musical preparation techniques, choral rehearsal techniques, congregational playing techniques

Masterclasses will focus on:

1. General keyboard skills and performance
2. Stylistically appropriate use of tempo, rubato, tone, touch, embellishment, improvisation, and other performance skills
3. Taking direction from choir director and supporting the needs of a specific choir and congregation

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Students will study various worship services to gain an understanding and appreciation for their history and contemporary interpretations.  Students will then focus on specific musical portions of their chosen service (prelude, hymns, offertory, anthem, postlude, etc.) and prepare appropriate selections with instructor’s guidance.

Foundational skills such as sight reading, hymn reading, choral score reading, improvisation, offertory playing, basic organ operation, choral rehearsal structures and techniques, and performance practice will be studied in depth throughout the semester.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Students will be assessed based on:

1. Final performance quality and preparation
2. Professional demeanor, generosity, and flexibility in rehearsal with local choirs
3. Demonstration of knowledge regarding service orders, origins, and appropriate musical selections
4. Individual growth and development

Review and Approval

August 2020