Purpose-driven Education
Student: Elliott Morris
Program: Songwriting Diploma
In coming to college, it has been my first time away from home and I have enjoyed getting to really take my faith into my own hands, and have been slowly finding myself enjoying my devotional time more and more. Through my Bible classes and learning more about context and the intricacies of the scriptures, I have been able to understand my bible so much better, and in turn that has helped my faith grow as I get to know God better!
I would encourage anyone looking for a solid Christian community, whether they only want a gap year or four-year degree to at least come to a preview day for Prairie because I would love to hear about others having similar experiences to mine.
Music: A Tool for Evangelism
Student: Joshua Bellingham
Program: Songwriting Diploma
As a kid, I had one of my school teachers, Mr. Legros, invest in me by teaching me the basics of guitar. Ever since I learned my first 3 chords I’ve been writing songs. It’s always been a dream of mine to record a professional album, and when I heard about Prairie’s program, I took it as my chance to. The songs that ended up on the album came a lot out of the learning and questioning I did at Prairie, both musically and lyrically.
The overall message of the album is that you are not alone in your questioning and doubts. We all have things that we’re unsure about, and none of us has it all put together. The other hope is to give people a place where they can start to ask themselves the questions in the album and to use it to start conversations that put people
out of their comfort zones. My main philosophy of music is that music becomes a tool for evangelism.
My favourite song on the record is Sea of Lights, mostly because of the blood sweat and tears that went into it. The song actually came out of a poem that I wrote as I was on a flight descending into Calgary at night, and I was just in awe of all the lights, and my thought was that each of those lights represents a person. It filled me with a feeling of how small I was, and yet how grandiose we are as humanity. The feeling of having it recorded by amazing, professional musicians was like no feeling I’ve ever felt. I think the song is a good window into the whole process. Sometimes a song just comes to you, but other times there’s a lot of work that goes into our art, but it’s work that is so, so rewarding.
Prairie College Songwriting Diploma
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.”
