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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, MUS 262, MUS 263.
    2. MUS 315
    3. MUS 321
    4. MUS 361 or MUED264
    5. MUS 395 and MUS 396
    6. 3 credits in primary private lessons in major instrument/voice (MUPB 126, MUPB 226, MUPG 126, MUPG 226, MUPH 126, MUPH 226, MUPK 126, MUPK 226, MUPP 126, MUPP 226, MUPS 126, MUPS 226, MUPV 126, MUPV 226, MUPW 126, MUPW 226)
    7. 1.5 credits of secondary private lessons (MUPB 122, MUPG 122, MUPK 122, MUPP 122, MUPS 122, MUPV 122, MUPW 122; 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/MUPE 242, MUPE 152/MUPE 252, MUPE 162/MUPE 262, MUPE 164/MUPE 264, MUPE 166/MUPE 266, MUPE 168/MUPE 268, ): choral, handbell, instrumental or voice
    9. 6 credits, choosing three credits from each of the following areas:
      1. one Religious Studies course (REL 101 or REL 150, or any senior-level REL course)
      2. 3 credits chosen from MUS 361, MUS 630, MUS 631, MUED213, MUED214, MUED264, DRA 149, DRA 252, or SOC 100
  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 and MUS212 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.