Songwriting and Recording

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You have voice... let it be heard.

two-year program in which you will

  • develop skills to master your craft
  • learn about the music industry in North America
  • record your own songs in a professional studio
  • experience interacting with a producer and world-class musicians on your own works of art
  • conclude your studies with training in planning and performing a live show with backup musicians

Songwriting Hub

1 - Song Forms

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After analyzing the top 100 CCLI songs in July 2022, Songwriting Faculty Denis Nassar Baptista identifies some song patterns that are not being well used in our current worship music. In this video, Denis shares with us his first recommendation for songwriters today, which involves developing songs with a different song form.

2 - A Beautiful Key Colour

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In this video, Denis shares a second songwriting idea rarely used in today’s worship music that revolves around a beautiful musical mode called Mixolydian. Learn more about this scale in this video and the influence a change in musical mode will have on the mood/the colour of your songs.

3 - Collision of Melodies

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In our third video of recommendations for songwriters, Denis shares some basic principles of counterpoint and demonstrates creating melodies that overlap with each other. This method is rarely used in the top 100 CCLI songs today and would add another dimension to collective expressions of worship.

Do you have questions? Let's chat...

Denis Nassar

Denis Nassar Baptista

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Alumni Stories

Music Industry

Music Business Classes

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Networking

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Recording your album

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What Makes This Program Different

A two-year program designed to train and assist you in writing your songs. The program culminates with you recording your own songs in a professional studio.

Challenging and life-transforming Bible courses will strengthen your spiritual journey and influence your music.

Musical training rounds out your experience as you take lessons, learn the language of music, and perform in various ensembles.

Learn from visiting guest artists who are part of the music business and gain insight from their experiences, training, and expertise.

“As Bono once said, ‘Music can change the world because it can change people.’ I believe that the Music And Worship Arts program at Prairie College affords an incredible opportunity for students to learn and grow in a creative environment, rooted in community within a faith context; being able to graduate with a fully produced recording is a bonus.”

Stephen J. Rendall, Juno Award Winning Writer and Producer

Two-Year Diploma

All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.

Bible and Theology Core (18 credits)

NT 112 Reading the Gospels and Acts
NT 221 Reading Paul’s Letters
OT 112 Reading the Torah
OT 221 Reading the Historical Books
ST 100 The Christian Life
TH 100 Introduction to Christian Theology

Arts and Sciences Core (20 credits)

HF 111 Thinking and Writing
HF 151 How Music Works
MU 191-296 Performing Ensemble (4 credits)
MU 155-258 Music Lessons (4 credits)
SS 170 Christianity in the 21st Century World
WA 123 The Language of Music 1 (1 credit)
WA 124 The Language of Music 2 (1 credit)
WA 228 The Language of Music and Writing (1 credit)

Music and Worship Arts Courses (26 credits)

DM 103 Introduction to Digital Media (1 credit)
MU 167-68 Sight Reading/Ear Training — Parts 1, 2
WA 121 Songwriting 1
WA 122 Songwriting 2
WA 221 Songwriting 3
WA 224 Arranging Songs (2 credits)
WA 227 Recording and Producing (1 credit)
WA 229 The Language of Music and Charting (1 credit)
WA 232 How Musicians Work (2 credits)
WA 235 Music Business
WA 373-74 EP Project — Parts 1, 2 (4 credits)

Songwriting Concentration
WA 121 Songwriting 1
WA 122 Songwriting 2
WA 221 Songwriting 3
WA 235 Music Business
WA 372 EP Project (4 credits)

For course descriptions, see our catalogue here.

  1. Discover and develop your own musical language; the musical style and lyrical approach that represents your unique musical expression and contribution.
  2. Integrate Biblical truth with songwriting as you write original songs and scripture songs and compose creative music.
  3. Professionally write original songs that are ready to record, representing your worldview, theology, and anthropology.
  4. Record an EP learning how to arrange songs and the skills and craft of professional audio recording.
  5. Release your album in a showcase learning how to plan and produce a professional show.
  6. Increase effective, artistic, and confident personal performance skills.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the content, processes, and practices of music, musicianship, and a Christian worldview of the role of arts in the world.

Our graduates:

  • Are self-employed singer/songwriters.
  • Teach music lessons.
  • Worship leaders in their church or camp.
  • Work in the retail music industry.
  • Study further in Prairie’s four year Bachelor of Arts in Ministry – Worship Leading and Music.

In addition to the regular Admissions requirements students in the Songwriting and Recording program must have raw musical talent. In order to assess this, we ask applicants to submit two video demos: two original songs written within the last two years (with PDF chord chart). We don’t require a complex multi-camera edited film – a simple and clear video shot with a smartphone works well. Make sure your camera device is stable (preferably on a tripod or still surface) and close enough for good, non-distorted audio and clear video. The audition demos can be uploaded to YouTube, Dropbox, or e-mailed to Admissions.

For our Tuition & Fee rates as well as Room and Board please see Fees & Financial Aid

Program Specific Costs:

Songwriting & Recording students are charged a $700 program fee. ($350 charged in the fall & winter semesters)

During the Songwriting & Recording program students record an EP Album. The cost of the EP is approximately $7755 (an EP Recording Fee of $6615, and an EP Service Fee of $1140) which is not included in the tuition and fees listed.

Canada & United States Application

Fall 2024 (September start), Winter 2025 (January start), and Online Education (start anytime) applications are open. 

International Student Application

Prairie welcomes applications from individuals all around the world! To begin the International Student Application please click the link below. 

Master's Application

If you are applying for the Master of Christian Ministry Leadership or the Master of Global Christian Educational Leadership please click the link below. 

Information Request

Tell us a bit about yourself and an admissions representative will be in touch shortly!

Here are key opportunities you can partner with Prairie

We have launched our Campaign for Greater Impact to provide students with the very best learning opportunities and campus facilities for the decades ahead. 

In Phase One of this Campaign, we plan to invest in much-needed campus renewal, including: upgraded Infrastructure, a new Student Residence, Cafeteria, Worship Auditorium, and expanded Aviation Training Centre. A modern campus requires an investment that is bold, and even expensive, but each Campaign Project is strategic, and designed to enhance Prairie’s campus and student life experience.

Expansion of Prairie Aviation Training Centre

This expansion of PATC’s facility is a key project of Prairie’s Campaign for Greater Impact. It will increase the College’s capacity to train a new generation of Christian aviators to serve God in missions, and also address the growing need for trained pilots in the commercial aviation sector.

Scholarships & Education Fund

Invest in the next generation of missional professionals. Each year Prairie College distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students. We are grateful for each gift that reduces the burden of students’ tuition and allows students to fulfill their God-given professions.

Prison Bible Encounter Program

Encourage inmates in five institutions across Alberta to discover or reconnect with Jesus Christ. This fund assists the students studying the Certificate in Bible program with scholarships, resources for classes, and instruction. 

General Ministries

Prairie College is educating students to pursue a Biblical foundation for life and career.  Your contribution to this fund assists in minimizing the College’s general operating expenses.  

To allocate your gift, please select one of the donation buttons below.