Music

The Church Music program is designed to prepare students to serve as worship pastors in the local church. It provides foundational knowledge and skills in worship, church music, and church ministry. Students must pass the music placement exam prior to fully being accepted into the program. The Church Music degree requires the successful completion of an audition by the end of the second semester of study. Additionally, this program requires the successful completion of an Upper Division Exam at the end of the sophomore year. A student with insufficient musical background will initially need to enroll in courses that do not count toward credits needed for graduation.

The Music Education program offers two tracks: Choral and Instrumental. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to teach K-12 in either public or private school settings. Upon successful completion of the program, students may apply for the public school teaching certificate or the private school teaching certificate. Public school certification is contingent upon passing a series of exams required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Music Education degree requires the successful completion of an audition by the end of the second semester of study. Additionally, this program requires the successful completion of an Upper Division Exam at the end of the sophomore year. In order to qualify for the Music Education program, entering freshmen and transfer students must pass the Music Placement Exam and be placed in Music Theory I. Choral Track students must also pass the piano placement exam.

Public School Teaching Certificate Program Admissions Requirements:

1. 1. 1. A minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of the fourth semester. This GPA must be maintained throughout the program until graduation.
      2. Completed PA Educator Basic Skills Assessments or the equivalent.
      3. Copies of all clearances on file with the Music Education department.
      4. Interview with the Music Education faculty.
      5. Positive recommendations from the faculty.
      6. Positive recommendation from the Director of Student Life.
      7. Completion of the following course work: ENG 123 College Writing (3 credits); English or American Literature (3 credits); Survey of Math II (3 credits); Math Elective (3 credits)

The curriculum in Music Performance includes two tracks: Classical and Contemporary. This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a performing artist. Skills developed in the program will be based, in part, upon the student’s career goals and objectives. The Music Performance degree requires the successful completion of an audition by the end of the second semester of study. Additionally, this program requires the successful completion of an Upper Division Exam at the end of the sophomore year. A student with insufficient musical background will initially need to enroll in courses that do not count toward credits needed for graduation.

Music Production includes two different programs: Studio Engineer and Studio Musician. A major in Music Production integrates modern techniques in digital audio and relevant analog technologies with fundamental courses of an undergraduate music degree. The skill set required to be successful in the music production field – as a studio engineer or musician – will require graduates to acquire skills in music, including primary instrument performance, music theory, and ear training, as well as advanced skills in digital audio recording, mixing, and live sound reinforcement. Preparation also includes significant time in rehearsal, laboratory, and live and studio production environments. The Music Production degrees require the successful completion of an Upper Division Exam at the end of the sophomore year. A student with insufficient musical background will initially need to enroll in courses that do not count toward credits needed for graduation.

The program in Worship Leading is designed to prepare students to become contemporary worship leaders. Students will develop a variety of related skills to support the ministry of leading worship. These include developing proficiencies in voice, piano, guitar, songwriting, arranging, leading worship choirs, and technology for worship. Additionally, students will have a strong biblical and theological understanding of the role of worship. The Worship Leading degree requires the successful completion of an Upper Division Exam at the end of the sophomore year. A student with insufficient musical background will initially need to enroll in courses that do not count toward credits needed for graduation.

The University of Valley Forge offers a Masters of Music in Music Technology that further builds upon the strong foundation of an undergraduate degree in music. Students can expect a rigorous graduate-level learning environment where they will use many hardware and software technologies to produce a variety of creative and strategic musical projects. Research, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of current and trending topics, texts, and human interaction with music will advance critical thinking skills. Students will have the opportunity to more fully define their Christian world-view and functional leadership skills as part of the program, both in theory and practice. Educators, worship leaders, practicing performers, and composers alike will benefit from this training.

The Master of Arts degree in Worship Studies is designed for worship leaders, music pastors, church musicians, lead pastors, associate pastors, missionaries, and laypersons interested in pursuing graduate studies in worship. Each course in the program will focus on unchanging biblical truth as a basis for assessing the appropriateness and usefulness of traditions and innovations in worship. Through this program, Pentecostal spirituality is understood in both its unique distinctive and its historical connections with the classic Christian spirituality of the apostles, the church fathers, and the reformers. Emphasis will be placed on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in private and public worship.