You are a leader and you are musically gifted. Our program prepares you for a career in Worship Ministry.

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More than ever, the local church needs worship leaders who know God and will lead the church in honour of the One who is reconciling the world to Himself.

Develop your skills, gain fluency in music as you take private music lessons, learn music theory, songwriting and worship leading. Develop a Christian worldview of the arts. Put your learning into practice by participating in vocal and instrumental ensembles where you will acquire both musical and leadership skills. Learn to plan, lead and evaluate worship experiences both on and off campus. Learn the use and meaning behind ritual and symbols involved in worship.

“Uplifting, Christ-centred, and pushes you beyond what you thought you could be.” Emily, Music & Worship Arts Grad

Musicianship

One year in our musicianship program will develop your vocal and instrumental skills, grounding you in scripture and giving you new ways to express yourself and your faith.

Worship Leading and Music

You are a leader and you are musically gifted. Our four-year program prepares you for a career in Worship Ministry. Students will find that their excellent classroom instruction will be enhanced by multiple opportunities to lead worship throughout their program.

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

Dr Mark Jonah

Dr. Mark Jonah

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

What Makes This Program Different

Students will be able to participate in the Music and Worship Arts co-curricular opportunities such as Music Appreciation, the Vinyl Vault, and the SongSmith Society. These opportunities will assist the student’s pursuit of musicianship.

Students will be interacting with and studying with present and like-minded music and worship arts students, as there will be similar requirements of music lessons, music lessons practice, music ensemble playing, etc.

Students will gain a foundation in musicianship with an aim toward fluency. Yearlong study in an instrument, in voice and vocal production, in songwriting, in ensemble playing will be directed to this aim.

What Makes This Program Different

Students will find that their excellent classroom instruction will be enhanced by multiple opportunities to lead worship throughout their program.

Along with our remarkable teaching faculty we are thrilled to bring in several guest artists throughout the year to enhance your learning.

With 45 Bible & Theology credits you will build a strong biblical foundation to base your career on.

Worship Practicums will stretch the student as they plan, lead, and evaluate worship experience opportunities on campus and off campus.

Musicianship

One-Year Certificate

All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.

Bible and Theology Core (12 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

Arts and Sciences Core (3 credits)

HF 111 Thinking and Writing

Music Courses (15 credits)

MU 155, 158 Music Lessons (Voice; 2 credits)
MU 156, 159 Music Lessons (Piano, Guitar, or Percussion)
MU 167-68 Sight Reading and Ear Training—Parts 1 and 2
MU 193 Community Choir (2 credits)
MU 194 Applied Band/Ensemble (1 credit)
WA 101 Introduction to Worship Leading (1 credit)
WA 120 Introduction to Songwriting (1 credit)
WA 123 The Language of Music 1 (1 credit)
WA 124 The Language of Music 2 (1 credit)

For course descriptions, see our catalogue here.

Worship Leading and Music

Four-year Degree (Bachelor)

All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.

Bible and Theology Major (45 Credits)

BT 409 Word and World
NT 112 Reading the Gospels and Acts
NT 221 Reading Paul’s Letters
NT 351 Reading Hebrews to Revelation
OT 112 Reading the Torah
OT 221 Reading the Historical Books
OT 343 Reading the Psalms and Wisdom Literature
OT 453 Reading the Prophets
ST 100 The Christian Life
TH 100 Introduction to Christian Theology
TH 210 God of the Gospel
TH 313 Creation to New Creation
Bible and Theology electives (9 credits)

Arts and Sciences Core (36 credits)

AS 400 Integrative Seminar
HF 111 Thinking and Writing
HF 231 History of Western Civilization I
HF 232 History of Western Civilization II
MU 255-458 Music Lessons (6 credits)
SC 230 History and Philosophy of Science
SS 170 Christianity in the 21st Century World
SS 210 Introduction to Psychology
SS 261 Leadership Foundations
Arts and Sciences electives (6 credits)

Worship Leading and Music Major (41 credits)

DM 103 Introduction to Media Arts (1 credit)
HF 151 How Music Works
MU 158 Music Lessons (1 credit)
MU 191-496 Performing Ensemble (8 credits)
WA 101 Introduction to Worship Leading (1 credit)
WA 120 Introduction to Songwriting (1 credit)
WA 123 The Language of Music 1 (1 credit)
WA 124 The Language of Music 2 (1 credit)
WA 224 Arranging Songs (2 credits)
WA 227 Recording and Producing (1 credit)
WA 228 The Language of Music and Writing (1 credit)
WA 229 The Language of Music and Charting (1 credits)
WA 232 How Musicians Work (2 credits)
WA 252 The Story of Worship
WA 254 Worship: Subjects and Objects
WA 320 Worship by Design
WA 341 Worship FX (2 credits)
WA 354 Worship as Christian Formation
WA 378 Worship Practicum

For course descriptions, see our catalogue here.

Musicianship

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the content, processes, and practices of music, musicianship, and a Christian worldview of the role of arts in the world.
  2. Able to apply principles and practices of worship to a growing personal life.
  3. Increase in effective, artistic, and confident personal performance skills.
  4. Clearly demonstrate an ability to be a productive, supportive, and contributing member of a musical team.

Worship Leading and Music

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the content, processes, and practices of music, musicianship, and a Christian worldview of the role of the arts in the world.
  2. Able to apply principles and practices of worship to a growing personal life.
  3. Increase in effective, artistic, and confident personal performance skills.
  4. Clearly demonstrate an ability to be a productive, supportive, and contributing member of a musical team.
  5. Understand and practice the scope and interrelatedness of corporate worship ministry components.
  6. Understand worship ministry as seeking to encourage growth in the Christian formation of congregants.
  7. Gain the ability to plan, produce, lead, and evaluate corporate worship experiences.
  8. Develop and articulate a philosophy of corporate worship.

Musicianship

Our graduates go on to:

Worship Leading and Music

Our graduates go on to:

  • Worship Coordinator / Leader / Pastor in church
  • Worship leader for camp ministry.
  • Associate work in a parachurch organization.
  • Cross-cultural work with a mission organization.
  • Seminary and Masters level education.

Musicianship

In addition to the regular Admissions requirements, students in the musicianship program must have raw musical talent. In order to assess this, we ask applicants to submit one video demo: a cover of a song you like or a song that moves you (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.

Worship Leading and Music

In addition to the regular Admissions requirements, students in the Worship Arts program must have raw musical talent. In order to assess this, we ask applicants to submit two video demos: two cover songs or songs that move you (with PDF chord chart). We don’t require a complex multi-camera edited film – a simple and clear video shot with any 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:

Worship Leading and Music students are charged a $700 program fee. ($350 charged in the fall & winter semesters)

Canada & United States Application

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

** Applications are free for the month of March. Use code MARCHFREE **

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.  

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