Music Ministry
Leading worship through music
What jobs can you do with a
music ministry degree?
Make a living doing what you love.
Worship Pastor/Worship Director
Director of Music Ministry
Church Music Director
Church Choir Director
Associate Pastor of Worship & Arts
What’s the Difference at DWU?
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Integrated Biblical and Ministry Formation
A strong foundation in scripture, Christian faith, leadership and theology will teach you to lead worship with depth and integrity. -
Designed for Regional and Multi-Church Service
Our curriculum reflects the realities of small churches, shared ministry positions, and rural congregations, where worship leaders must be adaptable and versatile. -
Transferable Skills for Broader Ministry and Service
You'll develop strengths in leadership, communication, organization and collaboration. These are skills that fit jobs in education, nonprofit work and community ministry. -
Worship Leadership at the Core of the Degree
Classes like Worship Leading will teach you to lead congregational worship, not just performing music. -
Multi-Instrument Preparation for Church Settings
You'll be prepared for the real demands of worship by studying a primary and secondary instrument, such as piano, organ, voice or guitar. -
Technology for Modern Worship Ministry
Training in music technology will prepare you to work with sound systems, worship software, digital music resources and livestreamed services.
Music Scholarships
At Dakota Wesleyan University, all students — regardless of major — are welcome to participate in our music ensembles, and you may be eligible for a Performing Arts Scholarship.
If you’re interested in a music scholarship, we’d love to hear you audition! Students who receive a scholarship are asked to stay involved in at least one ensemble each semester while the scholarship is active.
Audition Guidelines:
Vocal Scholarship:
- Prepare one solo piece — something you would sing at a contest, in voice lessons, or for an audition. You may bring your own accompanist, or one can be provided.
Piano Scholarship:
- Prepare one solo of your choice — something you would play at a recital, for a contest, or in lessons. Choose a piece that highlights your technique and musicality.
Instrumental Scholarship:
- Prepare one appropriate solo, such as something you’d perform at a contest, in lessons, or for all-state. Pick a piece that showcases your musicianship and skill on your instrument.
Planning to submit an audition video?
- Record your audition video using your phone or other device. A simple setup is perfectly fine!
- Upload your video to a platform like YouTube, Google Drive, or Vimeo.
- Make sure the video is set to “public” or “anyone with the link can view.”
- Complete the Performing Arts Scholarship Form and include your video link.
Audition Tips and Tricks:
- Choose music that best highlights your musical ability, tone quality, technique, and expression.
- Pop music, while fun, typically doesn’t show the full range of your skills. We encourage you to select classical, jazz, or other traditional solo literature commonly used for contests, lessons, or auditions.
- Be sure to warm up ahead of time and arrive early if you’re auditioning in person.
- If you need an accompanist, just let us know — we’re happy to help!
Music Ministry Courses
Check out the courses you'll complete on your way to receiving your degree.
MUS 115 Fundamentals of Music
MUS 116 Keyboard Skills I
MUS 215 Fundamentals of Music II
Prerequisite: MUS 115
MUS 220 Introduction to Music Technology
MUS 350 Conducting
MUS 400 Special Projects in Music
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
MUS 426 Preparing for a Career in the Arts
REL 112 Christian Faith and Practice
REL 210 Understanding the Old Testament
REL 215 The Life and Teaching of Jesus
REL 216 The Life and Letters of Paul
REL 340 The Practice of Christian Leadership
Prerequisite: REL 112 and REL 210
Get to Know Your Professors
Learn music from our talented professors. Our low student-to-teacher ratio offers
valuable one-on-one interaction.
Clinton Desmond, DMA
Elizabeth Soladay
Erin Desmond, M.M.Ed.
Jason Laczkoski
Performance Opportunities
Choral Ensembles
- Dakota Wesleyan Choir – As our largest choir, Dakota Wesleyan Choir is open to all who wish to raise their voice in masterworks from the Renaissance to the 21st century.
- The Highlanders – As a select auditioned ensemble, the Highlanders perform top quality vocal chamber music from Renaissance polyphony to vocal jazz.
Instrumental Ensembles
- LyricWood String Orchestra – LyricWood is an intergenerational strings ensemble where you will get to meet and perform with community members, young and old.
- Wesleyan Band – All DWU students, of any major, are invited to join the Wesleyan Band. You will have the opportunity to study, rehearse and perform a diverse repertoire of challenging music.
- Wesleyan Bells – As the only collegiate handbell choir in the state, Wesleyan Bells gives you the chance to be one part of a larger musical group made up of your friends and classmates.
- Wesleyan Jazz Band — a formalized ensemble bringing the opportunity for interested students to study and perform jazz in front of audiences on familiar instruments like piano, bass, guitar, drum set, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone.
Perform
Locally – Each semester we have two major concerts. Multiple ensembles perform beautiful collages of music from many genres. Outside of these two concerts, we sprinkle in performances for events in the community, specialty concerts with our small ensembles, and service opportunities with local nursing homes.
Regionally and Beyond – The Highlanders and Wesleyan Bells tour each spring, and are joined by the Dakota Wesleyan Choir and other ensembles every other year. On these tours, experience music on the road, performing in a variety of venues and meeting people from all walks of life.
Musical Theatre – No matter your involvement at DWU, you are able to participate in musical theatre productions. Spread your wings on stage. Our students have been in productions like “Les Misérables,” “Rock of Ages,” “Mamma Mia!” and more.
Related Majors & Minors
Christian Leadership
A degree in Christian leadership will help you impact a faith community and find satisfaction in a life of service and discipleship.
Music
Join Dakota Wesleyan’s musical family as a vocalist or instrumentalist. Study and perform whether you are a major, a minor or you just need a little bit more music in your life.
Music Management and Marketing
Make music your career and your business. Our Music Management and Marketing major prepares you to manage artists, plan events, and market music in a rapidly changing industry.
Theatre
Turn your love for acting, storytelling, and performance into a theatre career, either on stage or behind the scenes.
