Worship Arts Degree | Colorado Christian University

Bachelor's Degree in Worship Arts

CCU students playing in a band. — Bachelor's Degree in Worship Arts

Bachelor of Music in Worship Arts

If you're interested in pursuing a career that will allow you to use your musical gifts and talents in ministry, CCU offers the Bachelor of Music in Worship Arts. Through this program you'll be philosophically, practically, and spiritually equipped for effective leadership and administration of a music/worship ministry within the body of Christ.

Course Catalog

Worship Arts Major

Worship Arts at CCU

The Worship Arts program focuses on the development and practice of worship throughout history and of the contemporary church. While not promoting a particular style of worship, the program equips you to be knowledgeable and capable in most forms of Protestant worship. Particular attention is paid to working with all instruments, including voices, along with a distinct performance and internship requirement.

What can you do with a degree in worship arts?

Worship/Liturgy pastor
Choir director
Overseas missions
Pursue graduate studies in music

Prospective students who are planning to major or minor in music or theatre are required to audition for participation in most ensembles and for consideration for School of Music scholarships.

School of Music

Meet the Faculty

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.
– Martin Luther, German professor of theology, composer, and priest (1483–1546)

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College of Undergraduate Studies

Interesting Classes You Might Take:

Applied Worship
Improvisational Techniques
Worship Practicum

Laura Saunders

Affiliate Faculty - Voice

Laura Saunders believes that Christians need to be equipped not only to succeed in the world, but to be effective servants in the local church. To this end, she has joyfully served for 18 years as music director in her church. She loves the opportunities to integrate biblical perspective in the classroom, as well as have prayer with students as needs arise.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Laura Klein

Affiliate Faculty - Applied Piano

Laura Klein's students regularly perform and often participate in regional and national festivals, adjudications, competitions, and honors recitals, receiving highest honors.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Christine Sallas

Affiliate Faculty - Applied Oboe

Christine Sallas is a member of the National Association of Musicians, the Internal Double Reed Society, and the College Music Society. Dr. Sallas is also a writer and spends her time away from performing out exploring Colorado with her husband and writing about her musical travels.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

David McNeil, Jr.

Director and Assistant Professor of Choral Studies

While at Trinity University, David McNeil, Jr. learned the immense value of studying under faculty who were both masters of the discipline and fully committed to the integration of their faith with their work. He benefited from mentorship that included both academic/performance and Christian faith. When he graduated and contemplated a career in higher education, he decided that he wanted to work in a place that would allow him to serve in the same way his mentors had.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Diana Gaide

Affiliate Faculty - Piano

CCU is a small campus with a personal, friendly atmosphere. Classes are smaller with more attention to the students. CCU is a great place to integrate faith and learning by being able to pray for the students, pray with them, and learning worship songs.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Pam Gallo

Affiliate Faculty - Piano

Music is a hallmark of civilization and a gift from God. Pam Gallo is grateful to be able to integrate her faith and love of God in teaching music to students at CCU so they can become effective worship leaders and performers conveying the love of Christ to others.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Ron Bland

Affiliate Faculty - Bass

The CCU School of Music is committed to integrating faith into every aspect of studying music and the performing arts. The commitment to both the spiritual and musical development of students offers a truly unique experience. CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ. As believers, students have a higher calling toward excellence as they develop their gifts and talents in music, not only for the enjoyment of audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Mark Dorn

Professor of Music & Coordinator of Instrumental Music

It is Mark Dorn's desire that all of his music and his students' music be an offering. He wants their music to be an extravagant offering that blesses the Lord and provides a fragrance for all to enjoy. In his interactions with students and colleagues, and in his music performing and leading, Dorn tries to keep an attitude of taking the human heart seriously – our passions, struggles, failures, and triumphs – so that Christ may be more fully formed.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Jennifer Stafford

Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre Studies

Jennifer Stafford is a teaching Artist with the Metropolitan Opera Guild (where she was awarded the title of "Master Teaching Artist"), the New York City Children's Theatre, and Trinity Music NYC. She has been a guest lecturer at New York University, Baruch College, the Wise Institute, and the Rocky Mountain Library Writer's Association.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Steven Taylor

Dean and Professor of Music

CCU is different because of our emphasis on faith both in integration and in demonstration in the classroom. Our students are called to a higher standard of personal responsibility, integrity and character. We, as believers, have an even higher calling toward excellence as we bring our gifts of choral and instrumental music not only for the enjoyment of our audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Colleen Hope

Affiliate Faculty - Music

Colleen Hope counts it as a joy and privilege to teach for CCU because she can openly discuss her faith with her students and how that integrates and plays out in a General Music classroom within a public school system.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Kwami Barnett

Affiliate Faculty - Clarinet

CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ. As believers, students have a higher calling toward excellence as they develop their gifts and talents in music not only for the enjoyment of audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Jill Schroeder-Dorn

Affiliate Faculty - Music

The study of music requires great passion. Only those who are truly passionate are able to develop the disciplines necessary to be successful in music – to practice, study, perform, and teach others to do the same.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Irina Moreland

Affiliate Faculty - Piano

CCU emphasizes a complete integration of Christian faith into every aspect of music study and the performing arts to the praise and glory of God. This commitment to spiritual and musical development offers a unique experience among Colorado's music schools, an experience CCU believes helps build not only better musicians but better people as well.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Richard Niezen

Assistant Professor of Music

We emphasize a complete integration of our Christian faith into every aspect of music study and the performing arts to the praise and glory of God. This commitment to spiritual and musical development offers a unique experience among Colorado's music schools, an experience we believe helps build not only better musicians but better people as well.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Charles Denler

Director and Assistant Professor of Composition and Music Production and Engineering

Faith is the key component in any business. One of Charles Denler's goals is to help students create a faith-based model of the music business by involving them in actual productions that give them real-world credits by the time they graduate.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Rachel Perez

Affiliate Faculty - Flute

The CCU School of Music is committed to integrating faith into every aspect of studying music and the performing arts. The commitment to both the spiritual and musical development of students offers a truly unique experience. CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ. As believers, students have a higher calling toward excellence as they develop their gifts and talents in music not only for the enjoyment of audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Barbara Lepke-Sims

Instructor of Harp

Barbara Lepke-Sims' teaching philosophy comes from the Scriptures; God has called us to "live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."(Eph.5:8b-9) Eph. 5:19 is also important to her, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Christopher Luther

Affiliate Faculty - Violin & Viola

The commitment to both the spiritual and musical development of students offers a truly unique experience. CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ. As believers, students have a higher calling toward excellence as they develop their gifts and talents in music not only for the enjoyment of audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Sara Murdaugh

Adjunct Faculty- Dance

Sara Murdaugh believes integrating faith into a learning atmosphere is fundamental. We are created by the creator and are encouraged to create not only in his name, but through the gifts he has given us. There is a sense that we are more than the sum of our arms and legs; we have both the honor and the duty to explore our place in this world through those artistic gifts.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Christopher Eagles

Affiliate Faculty - Percussion

The CCU School of Music is committed to integrating faith into every aspect of studying music and the performing arts. The commitment to both the spiritual and musical development of students offers a truly unique experience. CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Daniel Wakefield

Affiliate Faculty - Director of Worship Arts

Daniel Wakefield views worship as a lifestyle. This is shown in the way people work; in the way they create; in the way they interact with others throughout the day; in the way in which they see and hear God through His word, through creation, and through those around them.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Isidro Aybar, Jr.

Affiliate Faculty - Music

Dr. Aybar highly esteems the opportunities provided each student at Colorado Christian University to explore and develop artistic potential while gaining a deeper understanding of one’s life purpose in Jesus Christ. He is passionate about walking alongside his students, drawing out excellence, and exhorting them in the choices and disciplines necessary for their success.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Aaron Stampfl

Assistant Professor of Music, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies and Worship Arts

Dr. Aaron Stampfl completed a doctorate in music at Northwestern University, studying piano with Alan Chow and Sylvia Wang.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

Dr. Courtney Long

Affiliate Faculty - Saxophone

The commitment to both the spiritual and musical development of students offers a truly unique experience. CCU’s School of Music structures its programs to nurture musical gifts and talents in a Christ-centered environment so that students may excel in the performing arts — and do so for Christ. As believers, students have a higher calling toward excellence as they develop their gifts and talents in music not only for the enjoyment of audiences, but also as an offering before the Lord.

College of Undergraduate Studies - School of Music

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