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12.2 Church Music Certificate 2024/2025

12.2 Church Music Certificate

A. Admission

Concordia University of Edmonton provides novice instruction in a variety of areas; students may be asked to take additional courses at Concordia University of Edmonton to meet admission requirements before entering the certificate program, depending on their background and experience.

  1. Interview with a Fine Arts Department representative, which will outline the specific program, complete with requirement sheet to take to Admissions.
  2. The admission to the certificate program is normally high school completion, and at least one year of post-secondary education (examples include Bible School, university instruction at Concordia University of Edmonton or elsewhere), or over age 21.
  3. Harmony Gr. 2 RCM (or equivalent) or higher; if this requirement is not met, MUS 211 and 212 will need to be added to the course requirements.
  4. Ample study on private instrument. Individual should be at least at the Gr. 6 RCM level (or equivalent) on their primary instrument to enter this certificate program; the ‘church music instrument’ choices are piano, organ, handbells, voice or guitar, unless a strong case can be made for using another instrument for this program and for church music leadership.
  5. Some previous experience in congregational music (may include directing/singing in choir, preparing/participating in ensembles, working with adults/children).

Note: This program is not a Designated Learning Program and not eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.

B. Program Requirements

  1. 30 credits required, to include:
    1. Two of the following three courses: MUS 261 (Church Music History), MUS 262 (Congregational Song), MUS 263 (Contemporary Worship Leadership).
    2. MUS 315 (Arranging)
    3. MUS 321 (Introduction to Conducting)
    4. MUS 361 (Choral and Vocal Methods) or MUED264 (Handbells and Handchimes for Children and Youth)
    5. MUS 395 (Church Music Practicum/Project Preparation) and MUS 396 (Church Music Practicum/Project)
    6. 3 credits in primary private lessons in major instrument/voice (MUPB 126 (Applied Music - Brass Instruments (Primary Area)), MUPB 226 (Applied Music - Brass Instruments (Primary Area)), MUPG 126 (Applied Music - Guitar (Primary Area)), MUPG 226 (Applied Music - Guitar (Primary Area)), MUPH 126 (Applied Music - Solo Handbell (Primary Area)), MUPH 226 (Applied Music - Solo Handbell (Primary Area)), MUPK 126 (Applied Music - Keyboard (Primary Area)), MUPK 226 (Applied Music - Keyboard (Primary Area)), MUPP 126 (Applied Music - Percussion (Primary Area)), MUPP 226 (Applied Music - Percussion (Primary Area)), MUPS 126 (Applied Music - Strings (Primary Area)), MUPS 226 (Applied Music - Strings (Primary Area)), MUPV 126 (Applied Music - Voice (Primary Area)), MUPV 226 (Applied Music - Voice (Primary Area)), MUPW 126 (Applied Music - Winds (Primary Area)), MUPW 226 (Applied Music - Winds (Primary Area)))
    7. 1.5 credits of secondary private lessons (MUPB 122 (Applied Music - Brass Instruments (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPG 122 (Applied Music - Guitar (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPK 122 (Applied Music - Keyboard (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPP 122 (Applied Music - Percussion (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPS 122 (Applied Music - Strings (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPV 122 (Applied Music - Voice (Novice Level or Secondary Area)), MUPW 122 (Applied Music - Winds (Novice Level or Secondary Area)); if piano is not the major instrument, then it is strongly suggested that piano lessons fill this requirement; if piano is the primary instrument, then 1.5 credits in one of the other four designated church music instruments, with a strong suggestion towards fulfilling this requirement in voice).
    8. 1.5 credits of an ensemble (MUPE 142 (Choral Ensemble (Concert Choir))/MUPE 242 (Choral Ensemble (Concert Choir)), MUPE 152 (Choral Ensemble (Community Ensembles))/MUPE 252 (Choral Ensemble (Community Ensembles)), MUPE 162 (Chamber Music Ensemble)/MUPE 262 (Chamber Music Ensemble), MUPE 164 (Handbell Ensemble)/MUPE 264 (Handbell Ensemble), MUPE 166 (Symphony Orchestra)/MUPE 266 (Symphony Orchestra), MUPE 168 (Concert Band/Wind Ensemble)/MUPE 268 (Concert Band/Wind Ensemble), ): choral, handbell, instrumental or voice
    9. 6 credits, choosing three credits from each of the following areas:
      1. one Religious Studies course (REL 101 (Western Religious Traditions) or REL 150 (Introduction to the Christian Faith), or any senior-level REL course)
      2. 3 credits chosen from MUS 361 (Choral and Vocal Methods), MUS 630 (Topics in Choral Conducting, Techniques, and Literature I), MUS 631 (Topics in Choral Conducting, Techniques, and Literature II), MUED213 (Music Education for Young Children), MUED214 (Music Literacy for Children), MUED264 (Handbells and Handchimes for Children and Youth), DRA 149 (Introduction to Dramatic Process), DRA 252 (Fundamentals of Public Speaking), or SOC 100 (Sociological Concepts and Perspectives)
  2. achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.3 in the required courses, with no grade less than C-.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits at Concordia University of Edmonton.

MUS 211 (Music Theory I) and MUS212 (Music Theory II) are needed, if the student has not proven to be at least at this level at entry into program.

C. Certification

Concordia University of Edmonton issues the Church Music Certificate to students who successfully complete the required course work.