Your Future in Music and Worship Leadership

A Bachelor of Arts in music and worship leadership from Charleston Southern University prepares you for a variety of ministry occupations through a curriculum that prioritizes theological faithfulness, musical excellence, and ministry experience. Graduates of this degree find jobs as worship leaders/pastors, music directors, and creative arts directors/pastors. You may also continue your education by studying church music or worship studies at the graduate level.

THEOLOGICALLY FAITHFUL: You will take courses in theology, church
history, worship leadership, and worship philosophy along with other classes designed to help you prepare for the demanding theological and pastoral responsibilities of worship ministry.

MUSICALLY EXCELLENT: You will take courses in music theory, music history, and conducting. You will also focus on an applied area of study (voice, guitar, or piano). The music core for the music and worship leadership degree meets the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accreditation standard for a Bachelor of Arts in music.

MINISTRY FOCUSED: You will be exposed to a variety of ministry experiences through class curriculum and opportunities outside the classroom in two semesters of practicums and a final capstone internship all meant to give students real ministry experiences.

CSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

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Marshall Forrester

Professor of Music and Chair, Horton School of Music
Whittington Hall
P843-863-7967
Emforrester@csuniv.edu

Andrew Lucius

Assistant Professor and Director of Music and Worship Leadership
Lightsey Chapel
Ealucius@csuniv.edu

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Music and Worship Leadership: it's a calling

“Local churches are in desperate need of more men and women who are theologically and musically trained to faithfully facilitate weekly corporate worship. If you feel called to serve the Lord and his people through musical leadership, we can help you prepare to fulfill that calling.” Andrew Lucius, Assistant Professor and Director of Music and Worship Leadership

As a Music and Worship Leadership major, you’ll take courses like…

Songwriting and Arranging for Worship
Music and Worship Foundations and Philosophy
History of Music in Worship
Systematic Theology
Hermeneutics
Music Technology
Jazz and Commercial Music Theory

View full curriculum

Graduates are equipped for a variety of career paths.

Worship Leader/Pastors
Music Director
Creative Arts Director/Pastor
Songwriter/Producer
Choir Director
Education
Publishing

You can choose from these emphases.

Piano

The Bachelor of Arts in music and worship leadership (piano) degree is for students who wish to pursue extensive instrumental study. You will have an opportunity to perfect your craft, developing technique, tone, musicianship, repertoire, stage presence, pedagogy, and professionalism. Students are afforded many opportunities to perform in various ensembles as well as solo and chamber recitals to hone their abilities. You will prepare two solo recitals and also have opportunities to perform in the community at various venues and on regional, national, and international trips.

Voice

The Bachelor of Arts in music and worship leadership (voice) degree is for students who wish to pursue extensive study in voice. The coursework for the student majoring in this degree involves intensive studio study, participation in solo and ensemble performances, and requires a 30-minute junior and a 60-minute senior recital.

This degree program offers students an opportunity to perfect their craft, delving into technique, stage presence, multilanguage diction, and acting. Students are afforded many opportunities to work in various ensembles and stage productions as well as solo and chamber recitals to hone their abilities. Students prepare two solo recitals and also have opportunity to work with area ensembles such as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Summerville Orchestra, Lowcountry Voices, and more. Additionally, students have many opportunities to perform both on and off campus at regional festivals, churches and schools.

Guitar

The Bachelor of Arts in music and worship leadership (guitar) degree is for students who wish to pursue extensive instrumental study. You will have an opportunity to perfect your craft, developing technique, tone, musicianship, repertoire, stage presence, pedagogy, and professionalism. Students are afforded many opportunities to perform in various ensembles as well as solo and chamber recitals to hone their abilities. You will prepare two solo recitals and also have opportunities to perform in the community at various venues and on regional, national, and international trips.

Horton School of Music

The Horton School of Music prepares students for careers as professional musicians, educators and music therapists as well as serving as a center of musical art and culture for the Charleston region and beyond. We also provide numerous courses and performance opportunities for nonmusic majors, as well as opportunities for members of the community to learn about music as a part of human culture and experience.

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An angled view of the Chapel on CSU's campus.

An exterior drone view of horton school of Whittington Hall at CSU.

explore our facilities

Lightsey Chapel Auditorium & Lightsey Music Building

The chapel seats 1,500 and is a multipurpose facility equipped with a modern stage and support equipment. The Margaret Kelly Hamrick Prayer Room is located at the front of the building. Named for W. Norris and Nell Peeples Lightsey.

The music building, located behind Lightsey Chapel, houses faculty offices for the Horton School of Music, music practice facilities and the theatre program’s Black Box Theatre. Named for Nell Peeples Lightsey.

Whittington Hall

The building houses music classrooms, a rehearsal hall, music practice rooms, a music technology lab and faculty offices. Named for Jeff and Bernice Whittington.