Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Church Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Church Music program exists to equip leaders who glorify God through their service in music ministry. The four-year, 122-hour program achieves its purpose by providing comprehensive musical training and ministry experience to those students preparing for careers in music.

For all students, the program offers opportunity to develop a Biblical view of music and to foster their aesthetic sensibilities through enriching musical and cultural experiences.

In order to complete the degree in four years, it is recommended that all enrolled in the B.A. in Bible and Church Music program average 15-16 credits each semester.

The Church Music program includes classroom instruction, private lessons, group participation, and an internship. The curriculum consists of courses in music theory, ear training and sightsinging, music history, hymnology, conducting, congregational songleading, and primary performance proficiency.

Proficiencies include voice, piano, the standard orchestral instruments, or composition.

Program Learning Outcomes

Through the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Church Music program, IBCS seeks to:

  1. Instill knowledge, discernment, and wisdom so that the IBCS student may be able to critically read, write, and reason within a culturally and philosophically diverse society,
  2. Cultivate a genuine love for God and mankind through a dependent relationship with the Holy Spirit that demonstrates itself by living and ministering like Christ daily,
  3. Prepare disciples to be theologically committed and culturally conversant while engaging, evangelizing, and educating others, and
  4. Disciple Christian musicians who
      1. demonstrate technical fluency, expressiveness, and professionalism in musical performance.
      2. evaluate music from a broad-based knowledge of musical styles, literature, history, and theory.
      3. communicate effectively a biblical approach to music in both personal and church life settings.
      4. facilitate individual and corporate worship.

Department Head

Dr. Peter Davis
Dr. Peter Davis
Dr. Peter Davis has earned Master’s degrees in both Bible and music and has a Ph.D. in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma – Norman. Dr. Davis has more than 30 years of teaching experience. He has a strong passion for training and mentoring musicians for the local church.

Program Requirements

CourseHours
MU ___Applied Music*12
MU 096Church Music Forum (eight semesters minimum)0
MU 115Fundamentals of Conducting2
MU 121Music Theory 13
MU 122Music Theory 23
MU 131Sight Singing and Ear Training 11
MU 132Sight Singing and Ear Training 21
MU 221Music Theory 33
MU 222Music Theory 43
MU 231Sight Singing and Ear Training 31
MU 232Sight Singing and Ear Training 41
MU 272Choral Conducting2
MU 351Music Appreciation2
MU 352History of Music2
MU 373Church Music Internship2
MU 381Church Music Administration 12
MU 382Church Music Administration 22
MU 421Philosophy of Music2
MU 452Hymnology2
Performing Ensemble (eight semesters minimum)0
Approved Church Music Electives7
TOTAL52

*Applied Music will be six semesters of lessons, 2 credits each.

Each Bible and Church Music major must participate in a college performing ensemble each semester in which he or she enrolls in applied lessons.

All Bible and Church Music majors must pass freshman and sophomore platforms.

The Bible and Church Music degree includes a recital, usually the junior year and an internship the senior year. A second recital is optional.

CourseHours
BI 102Hermeneutics2
BI 103Dispensationalism2
BI 202Foundations of New Testament Themes2
BI 203Foundations of Old Testament Themes3
TH 102The Theology of Sin and Salvation2
TH 111The Theology of the Bible, God, and Man3
TH 202The Theology of Angels, the Church, and Last Things2
TH 211The Theology of Jesus and the Holy Spirit2
TH S0_Theology Seminar1
TH S0_Theology Seminar1
Approved Bible/Theology Electives10
TOTAL30
CourseHours
EN 101 or EN 103Introduction to College English or English Grammar and Composition3
EN 102 or EN 104College Composition or English Composition3
EN ElecLiterature Elective3
HI 101History of Civilization 13
HI 102History of Civilization 23
HI 211Baptist History 12
HI 212Baptist History 22
MA 202Personal Finance3
OR 101College Success1
PH 201Introduction to Philosophy3
PS 201General Psychology3
SC 201Fundamentals of Nutrition3
SP 101Fundamentals of Speech3
TOTAL35
Course #Name of CourseHours
ED 103Fundamentals of Church Education1
ED 152Elements of Learning Styles1
MI 104A History of Global Missions1
PR 114Personal Evangelism and Discipleship1
PR 154Mentoring1

TOTAL: 5

Student Spotlight

Elizabeth Rendon

Elizabeth Rendon

“I was able to go back to Mexico for two years after graduating from IBCS. I served in my home church Sublime Gracia (Amazing Grace Baptist) as a music and youth leader. I became involved in the community by teaching piano and voice at three different music academies in the city of Tijuana. I was part of a National Organization called REDES 2025 helping children and teens from low-income families succeed in life through music. Seeing what unsaved people are willing to do to reach others through music was eye opening. Through my experience working at REDES 2015, I developed a music program at out church where anybody could take music lessons for free so that they could serve God through music. This program is still running at my church. Now, I am serving at Tri-City Christian Academy as a Spanish Teacher and pursuing a Masters of Education at IBCS.“

Your Future

Potential Careers Include:

  • K-12 music teacher
  • Band/choir/orchestra director in a private school or a public school
  • Music studio teacher
  • Church musician

International Baptist Seminary

At International Baptist Seminary, many of our graduates continue their education. We offer degrees in: