Dordt Now Offers a Minor in Church Music

The Dordt University Music Department has announced the approval of a new minor in Church Music, that will be offered starting fall 2021.

The new minor will include classes such as: Music Fundamentals, Ear Training I and II, Basic Conducting, courses in Church Music, and more. Students will receive six semesters of private lessons, with at least one semester of voice lessons, and participate in two semesters of large ensembles.

“We are thrilled to offer this minor to students who may be pursuing a different major, but seek to develop musical skills for leading in the church,” says Dr. Carrie Groenewold, associate professor of music, and chair of church music and organ. “Most of our keyboard students, for example, strongly desire to serve their churches, and often begin that work as a student.”

Additionally, the church music emphasis for music majors has been revised, which will include two new courses in Worship, Liturgy, and Church Music History, an additional semester of private voice lessons, and a philosophy (Core) course in Aesthetics that helps students to understand how music functions to reflect the beauty and goodness of our Creator.

“We wanted to expand our course offerings to reflect the vast amount of material in the field of church music,” says Groenewold. “The current sequence will equip students with knowledge of two thousand years of Christian worship and liturgy, allow for focus on the Reformed tradition, and encourage development of other practical skills: selecting repertoire for soloists, choirs, instrumentalists, and managing a music program.”

The Dordt University Music Department offers four emphases: Church Music, General, Music Management, and Performance and Pedagogy. Other opportunities for non-music majors include minors, ensembles, lessons, and classes. Over 20 percent of full-time Dordt students participate in music, with 15 different ensembles offered. Learn more at Dordt.edu/music.

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.