Cultivating the Gift of Music: DBU’s Music Department Equips Students for Successful Careers in Music

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, Dallas Baptist University's Music Department in the College of Fine Arts prepares students with the music and spiritual foundation needed for success in the music industry after graduation.

Through each course in the music program, students are able to learn, grow, and strengthen their music giftings, critical thinking, and improvisational skills. As they build a stronger understanding of music, professors aim to broaden students' knowledge of music theory, forms, structure, history, and literature.

As the program cultivates an awareness of the history of music in both Western and non-Western societies, students begin to recognize the role music has in influencing cultures around the world. In addition, students are taught how music has been a tool in these cultures throughout generations for the purposes of enlightenment, evangelism, edification, training, and recreation.

Alongside the traditional classroom setting, students in the music department engage in experiences like the All-State Choir Camp, solo and ensemble, DBU's Chapel Worship, chorale, choir, and faculty, guest, and student performances. Each performance, scholarship, and service opportunity associated with the program is intentionally designed to develop servant leadership alongside musical skills and knowledge.

Sidney Williams, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Musical Arts, shares how the program has expanded her view of music through her classes and experiences. "The Music Department has broadened my understanding of what worship music can look like," she says. "All forms and styles of music can be worship when done for the glory of God."

When choosing a degree in the music department, students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Commercial Music, a Bachelor of Musical Arts, a Bachelor of Music Education, or a Master of Music Education.

In addition, the program offers various concentrations music majors can add to their degree plan, including worship studies, commercial performance, songwriting, music industry, theory, audio production, or vocal performance. Each degree plan allows students to tailor their education to their interests while preparing them for successful careers upon graduation. 

Graduates from the Department of Music often find careers as a worship minister, music teacher, conductor, director, music producer, composer, audio engineer, arts administrator, catalog acquisition manager, music copyright attorney, or as an entertainment manager.

"When I think about our DBU music majors and future graduates, I hope they will take away the idea that they are light bearers," says Wes Moore, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. "Our world is crass, morally adrift, and hate-filled. Music has the potential to transform hearts and minds with beauty and a vision of a higher hope."

DBU's Music Program emphasizes the importance of faith integration into learning, reminding students that music is a gift from God to be used as a form of worship throughout both their personal and professional lives.

To learn more about the degree requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programs, visit the DBU Department of Music website. To learn more about upcoming events, visit the College of Fine Arts Events page.