The BA Worship Arts is designed to develop the student's worship leadership and ministry skills while building a framework for understanding worship and the arts in light of historical movements and biblical principles. The program is built upon a foundation of courses in biblical studies, theology, and arts and science.

Successful graduates of the program are prepared to become competent music and worship leaders for churches, para-church ministries, and mission organizations. This program lays a solid foundation for further study at the graduate or undergraduate level, particularly in the areas of music or pastoral ministry.

Program Entrance

Students who wish to enrol in the BA Worship Arts should apply either prior to arrival or during their first year. In their first semester, students are encouraged to audition for an ensemble, write the Theory Placement Test, and enrol in private lessons. Students are required to take the Piano Proficiency Exam before completion of the program. Students applying to the BA Worship Arts program are required to submit two reference letters from people who can speak to the applicants' abilities and calling as worship leaders, along with an audio or video recording. Each applicant will be required to have an interview/audition with the program coordinator.

Transfer students should contact the Worship Arts office to arrange for an audition and interview for direct entry into the program.

Requirements

The BA Worship Arts requires 42 credit hours of Worship Arts-related course work and 6 credit hours of cognate requirements with a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work at 300+ level within the context of a 126 credit hour degree.

Students will complete the four-year BA degree Core Curriculum, as well as 6 semesters of Service and Experiential Learning. As part of their graduation requirements, all four-year BA students will also complete the Senior Portfolio (PRT 400).

New students:  apply to the college now  and our admissions advisors will work closely with you throughout the rest of the process.

Current students: contact Academic Services to change programs and/or to be connected with a faculty adviser.

Degree Requirements

(126 credit hours: minimum 30 at 300+ level)

BA Core Curriculum

(66 credit hours)

Theory Requirements

(9 credit hours) *

History Requirements

(3 credit hours)

Worship Arts Requirements

(12 credit hours)

Applied Requirements

(15 credit hours)

Private Lessons (6 ch):

• 4 semesters on major instruments, 1 on voice, 1 on another rhythm section instrument (6 total)

Ensemble Requirements  (6 ch):

Students commit to ensembles for the whole year, therefore in miltiples of 2

• 2-4 small, 2-4 large (total of 6 ch)

• Piano Proficiency Exam (pass/fail)

Electives

(3-6 credit hours) *

• Choose 3 credit hours from the following:

Cognate Requirements

(6 credit hours)

Required (3 ch):

Elective (3 ch):

• Select 1 course from the following:

*Students who 'test out' of MUS 115 have an additional 3 credit hours of elective room within their major.

Ron de Jager

rdejager@briercrest.ca
View Ron's CV

A native of Nova Scotia, Ron recently completed studies at the doctoral level in vocal performance. He has enjoyed performing solo recitals, opera, oratorio, musical theatre, film, and ballet. His roles have ranged from the Phantom in Maury Yeston's Phantom to soloist for Handel's Messiah, from Count Alamviva in Le Nozze di Figaro to the Fonz in Happy Days, and from the lead in the short film One Tale of Misfortune to dancing the role of Gabriel in the ballet Song of Evangeline.

He was the Artistic Director and Founder of ROD Music Productions in Halifax, N.S., where he worked as a vocal instructor, adjudicator, dancer, and worship pastor.

At Briercrest College and Seminary, Ron enjoys giving leadership to the voice department, teaching voice, vocal master class, musical theatre workshop, acting and theory. He continues to perform recitals, musical theatre and opera. Ron enjoys inspiring young artists to share the unique gifts God entrusts to His children.

Scott Finch

sfinch@briercrest.ca
View Scott's CV

Scott Finch was honoured as a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship to complete his bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1997 from Covenant College and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  He subsequently received a full scholarship from Temple University to finish his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Temple University, Magnum Cum Laude.  During his studies, he received instruction from noted conductors like Alan Harler, David Hayes, and John Hamm in addition to working directly under Zubin Mehta, Wolfgang Sawallish, Robert Page, Dale Warland, and Frubeck de Burgough.

Scott has also had the opportunity of instructing students of all ages and backgrounds ranging from the university setting in Philadelphia and Tucson to the elementary and secondary educational environments of Atlanta and Chicago. After a nationwide search, Mr. Finch was appointed to serve as the director of choral activities at Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, Ill. from 2000-05. In this position, Scott conducted over 250 singers each year and instructed students who now are studying at The Julliard School of Music and Northwestern University. The depth of Scott's impact on the local community was highlighted by an invitation to give the keynote address at the 2005 commencement exercises. His students and colleagues have consistently regarded him for his integrity, his love for music, and his contagious passion for the wonder of life-long learning.  Ensembles under his care are consistently characterized by artistic maturity and a heightened sensitivity to the dramatic aspects of beauty.

Keith Molberg

kmolberg@briercrest.ca
View Keith's CV

Keith Molberg is originally from Alberta, and he joined the Worship Arts faculty at Briercrest College and Seminary in 2003. After completing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Alberta, he studied for three years at Arizona State University, where he received his Master of Music.

As a pianist, Keith has performed numerous solo and chamber music recitals and has appeared with several orchestras either as soloist or as orchestral musician. Keith has been active for many years as a worship leader and member of worship teams both in local churches and in the context of university ministries. As program coordinator for the Worship Leadership emphasis, he coordinates the chapel worship teams at Briercrest and teaches Music Theory, Recording Arts, and private piano.