Worship Studies (WRSP)
Offered: Resident and Online
Designed to provide an understanding of music and worship in the local church and para-church ministries, this course provides an overview of a professional worship leader's responsibility to the evangelical church. Emphasis is given to the reasons for studying worship, the impact of old and new testament worship; the relationship between music and worship; the principles for Biblical worship; the tasks of teaching and training worshipers; congregational worship leading; principles of evangelism through worship; and, the use of worship in promoting the mission and purpose of the local church. (Crosslisted with MUSC 200)
Offered: Online
This course is an introductory study of worship as related to the five senses. Application is made to lighting design, audio and video production, presentation software, banners, choreography and movement, staging, and a variety of multi-media possibilities. Students will prepare a class project that represents understanding and application of creative worship. (Crosslisted with MUSC 201)
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 104 (may be taken concurrently)
A continuation of WRSP 105. Further study of harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic dictation is applied to worship leading responsibility and tasks. Continued development of tonal center referencing is emphasized. Students continue to sharpen their listening skills by identifying the harmonic rhythm of popular and contemporary Christian music genres.
Note: (Offered spring semester only)
Offered: Resident
This course presents principles of Old and New Testament Worship. Included is a discussion of pre-tabernacle, tabernacle, temple, and synagogue worship. An overview of how Jesus, the disciples, and the early Christians worshipped is made in light of how believers will practice Worship in eternity. (Crosslisted with MUSC 202)
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: WRSP 203
A continuation of WRSP 203. Music structure and form are studied and applied to various historical literature and worship genres. Principles of melodic contour are applied to basic songwriting technique. Worship students learn principles of 2-part counterpoint, fugue, and variation technique as related to new and familiar contemporary Christian music literature.
Note: (Offered spring semester)
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 203 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 106 and WRSP 205
A continuation of WRSP 205. Intense Development of the worship leader's listening skills is applied to tonal center referencing, harmonic dictation, melodic identification, and rhythmic imitation.
Note: (Offered spring semester)
Offered: Resident
This is an instrumental ensemble that provides students opportunity to experience and perform the various styles of music used in a worship program of a large evangelical worship ministry. The ensemble usually includes rhythm section, wind, brass, strung and percussion instruments. On occasion, the group may include vocals. A primary function of the group is to provide accompaniment to the choral ensembles in the Department of Worship and Music Studies.
Registration Restrictions: Audition
Offered: Resident
The Gospel Choir is a 25-member choir representing the diverse African American Worship Traditions through music and ministry. The ensemble serves in an official public relations capacity for the University and Center for Worship. The Gospel Choir generally participates in annual music events, weekly convocations, TRBC worship services, Liberty University fundraising events and an annual spring tour. The singing group participates in annual missions ministry during the course of each academic calendar. The Gospel Choir is approved for credit toward the worship and music studies degree.
Registration Restrictions: Audition by Department of Worship and Music Studies.
Offered: Resident
An auditioned guitar ensemble specializing in the study of jazz or classical music. Reading and musical interpretation or rhythms and notation are stressed. Improvisational and accompaniment skills are developed. The ensemble performs on campus once each semester.
Registration Restrictions: Audition
Offered: Resident
This is a large ensemble providing students opportunity to experience the various styles of music used in the choral program of a large worship ministry: Black Gospel, traditional gospel, worship and praise, scripture song, sacred classic, Southern Gospel, and more. The choir will participate in an annual spring tour.
Registration Restrictions: Audition by director
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 106 and WRSP 203 and WRSP 204 and WRSP 205 and WRSP 206
Principles of the development and performance practice of instrumental music in the traditional and non-traditional worship service. Students learn the importance of building the rhythm section. Additional time is spent on rehearsal and performance techniques for building and directing praise band, rhythm section with small, medium and large orchestra, and praise band with vocal ensemble.
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 106 and WRSP 203 and WRSP 204 and WRSP 205 and WRSP 206 and WRSP 302
This is a worship methods class that deals with principles and processes of building a music program for the non-traditional worship service. Attention is given to pedagogy of vocal groups for adult singers. Students also learn the development, role, and repertoire of large and small ensembles in the worship service.
Offered: Resident and Online
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 106 and WRSP 203 and WRSP 205 and WRSP 206 and WRSP 330
This course is designed to teach the basics of arranging for a small ensemble focusing on contemporary worship styles. Two areas are covered: (1) a study of the principles of arranging for, coordinating, and directing a contemporary vocal ensemble, and (2) proper instrumental arranging, both independent of, and in accompaniment of vocal ensembles.
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 320
Practical, supervised application of worship in a leadership role at Thomas Road Baptist Church, or with an approved local church, is taken the first semester of a student's junior year. Application of leadership principles may include, but are not limited to: participation and presentation of praise team; praise band; youth or children's music; orchestra; multi-media software; radio or television ministry; drama; worship movement; banner; or any other area deemed essential to a growing worship program.
Offered: Resident
This is a continuation of the practical, supervised application of leadership in a worship ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church, or with an approved local church. Students are placed in a supervisory role and learn principles of team management in the preparation, planning, and presentation of worship. The course is taken second semester of a student's junior year and builds on principles learned the previous semester.
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 105 and WRSP 103 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 106
Rudimentary instruction in conducting techniques for worship leaders in non-traditional worship settings. Knowledge and skill areas stressed are: basic conducting gestures and patterns; score interpretation; rehearsal management and technique; programming considerations; and special problems in vocal and instrumental situation.
Offered: Resident and Online
This is the study of the Revival Movement, overview of British and American hymnology, the Great Awakenings, and Evangelical Worship practices as compared to biblical principles through church history. A study is made of the modern worship movements and practices, including: Liturgical; traditional; blended; and modern publishers of contemporary Christian music: Integrity, Vineyard, Passion, and Maranatha worship models. (Crosslisted with MUSC 313)
Offered: Online
Online Prerequisite: WRSP 320
This course is about the worship leader's responsibility to build relationships with Christ, the family, people inside and outside the church, the pastoral staff, praise team ministry, the profession, and the congregation. Practical principles of Church ministry including time management, budgeting, and discipleship training are part of this course.
Offered: Online
Prerequisite: WRSP 103 and WRSP 104 and WRSP 105 and WRSP 106 and WRSP 203
The study of computer competencies for the use of Finale music notation software in the church music and Christian Music Industry setting. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of: lead sheets, piano-vocal, guitar, praise band, choral charts and full orchestrations. Musical knowledge is combined with technological skill in entering music notation and producing written music of a publishing level.
Note: Offered every semester.
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 372
Principles of booking, copyright management, promoting, financial accountability and organization, business integrity, exposure to the market and business administration.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to program
Offered: Resident
Developing strategies for musically artistic and ministry effective program presentation. Principles include reading the crowd, building live performance, developing goals and objectives for platform performance; unique features of lighting, sound reinforcement, and technology; trend awareness and commerciality. Special emphasis is placed on goals of an artist as a worshiper; song selection; audience participation; presentation of the gospel; and partnership with the local church.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to program
Offered: Resident
Prerequisite: WRSP 101
An introduction to the Christian music industry, both old and new. Recent developments in this field will be emphasized, specifically highlighting the impact of biblical principles for working in the Christian music industry. Basic principle of music publishing and distribution will be defined and developed including copyright law, song royalties and mechanicals, copyright management, performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and CCLI), song demo creation, music producing, song pitching, and publishing.
Note: Offered Spring semester only.
Offered: Resident
Foundational principles for the discipleship of Christian artists and songwriters. Students define their pursuit for an identity and significance, ministry, relationships, excellence, integrity, and disciplined living. In addition, students study creativity and art, journaling, developing communication skills, musicianship as applied to the contemporary Christian music industry.
Registration Restrictions: Admission to program
Offered: Resident
Continuation of WRSP 285.
Registration Restrictions: Audition by Director
Offered: Resident
Continuation of WRSP 286.
Registration Restrictions: Audition by Director
Offered: Resident
Continuation of WRSP 287.
Registration Restrictions: Audition by director
Offered: Resident
A continuation of WRSP 289
Registration Restrictions: Audition by director
Offered: Resident
A study of the materials used in program building of instrumental and coal ensembles in non-traditional worship settings. Evaluation is made of select publishers to investigate musical, audio, video, and software recourses availability with application to contemporary Christian worship ensemble.
Offered: Resident and Online
This is a study of the biblical purposes and mandate for worship according to the principles of Romans 12:1-21. Using materials and research gathered from this study, students are required to construct a series of Sunday School Lessons that articulate a biblical purpose and mandate for worship.
Offered: Online
This is a worship methods course that makes application of formational, transformational, relational, missional, and reproducible worship to daily living. Using materials and research from this study, students will be required to design a six-week discipleship-Bible study manual for worship leaders.
Offered: Online
This is a study of congregational worship practices in the evangelical traditions. Special attention is given to song selection, programming, conducting concepts, vocal and band rehearsal techniques and the integration of multimedia, drama, and creative movement into the worship ministry. (Crosslisted with MUSC 423)
Offered: Online
This is a course that deals with the Bible principle of relationship. Attention is given to the worship leader developing relationships with the pastor, worship team, choir and orchestra, and media team. Students will participate in an interview/research project with select worship pastors and musicians.
Offered: Online
This is a methods course that deals with strategic planning for worship ministry. Attention is given to principles for developing traditional, blended, and contemporary models for worship. Students will be required to organize and develop worship strategy for small, medium and large worship ministry.
Offered: Online
A study of the current available resources and techniques employed by contemporary worship leaders. Consideration is given to practical issues related to rehearsal techniques, programming, midi technology, sound reinforcement, use of drama, and worship events.
Practical experiences for the worship leader in training in small mixed instrumental/vocal ensembles common in contemporary worship settings. These experiences are supervised by qualified faculty.
Offered: Resident
Offered: Resident and Online
This is a capstone course for those majoring in worship and music studies and is usually completed the summer between the junior and senior year. Special consideration is given to course completion during last semester of a student's senior year. It includes a minimum of 400 hours supervised ministry experience in an approved worship ministry. Application procedures processed through the Career Center. Must apply semester prior to completing internship.
Offered: Resident