STATEMENT FROM THE DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
(APRIL 11, 1994)

(This is a summary of a statement made by lames McKinney, Dean of the School of Church Music, SWBTS. The statement was made at the unanimous request of the music faculty.)

In response to the concerns of certain trustees about the music school, in 1987 the faculty began serious and open discussion of the issue. In 1988 a study committee was charged with the responsibility of determining how our training of church musicians was perceived by different groups and what we might do to improve that training.

A survey was sent to a broad spectrum of people asking for their opinion. The results were overwhelmingly supportive of the church music work offered at Southwestern.

Serious consideration was given to all suggestions and eight special courses, conferences and seminars have been offered during the past three years.

In 1991 Dean James McKinney established the Advisory Council of Metroplex Ministers of Music to bring to the campus ministers of music from a wide spectrum of churches to discuss current practices in church music and ways the seminary might better relate to churches. The council meets each semester; 18 churches have participated.

The Field Education class our music students are required to take visits a number of different churches each year with the express purpose of exposing students to different forms and style of worship.

Three years ago, at the invitation of Dean McKinney, members of the Music Ministry department faculty met with two trustees, T. Bob Davis and John McKay, for a discussion of trustee concerns. Davis and McKay were then invited to visit any music classes and speak to students or faculty. After the visits they made a favorable report to the full trustee body.

Almost half the church musicians enrolled at our six Southern Baptist seminaries are at SWBTS. Southwestern graduates are in great demand; alumni presently serve in many strategic church, college, and denominational positions in the United States and around the world. Enrollment in the School of Music at SWBTS is growing; many prospective students have expressed interest in attending Southwestern.

A summary report of what the School of Church Music has done since 1988 to meet trustee concerns, plus documentation for any of the information contained in this statement, is available upon request.

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