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Music Department

Biblical Equipping for Excellence in Life and Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Calvary Music?

The Music Department provides quality training and ministry opportunities for students desiring to serve through music. Students of all majors are involved in music learning and ministry through private lessons, music courses, concerts, musicals, chapel music, Masterworks Chorus, and music groups during the school year and in the summer.

Meet the faculty, learn about major/minor programs of study, find out about upcoming Performing Arts events, and purchase advanced tickets. Music groups are available to present concerts at local churches and Christian schools.

Music Programs of Study include a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Bachelor of Music in Worship Arts in three emphases: Contemporary Christian Music, Worship Performance and Worship Minister, Bachelor of Science in Worship Arts and Youth Ministry, an Associate of Arts in Worship Arts, and a One-Year Certificate in Worship Arts.

2023-2024 Music Season

Music Faculty Concert

(Saturday at 7pm at Blue River Bible Church): October 28th


Julie VanderWoude’s Senior Recital

(Friday at 7pm at Blue River Bible Church): November 10th


Christmas Concert

(Friday at 7pm at Blue River Bible Church): December 1st

Music Planners

Worship Arts - Contemporary Christian Music (Major)
Worship Arts - Worship Minister (Major)
Worship Arts - Worship Performance (Major)
Worship Arts and Youth Ministry (Major)
Music Education K-12 / Vocal (Major)
Associate of Arts Worship Arts

Tuition and Fees 2022-2023

Tuition On Campus Courses$407.00 per credit
Tuition Online Courses$443.00 per credit
Student Services fee $247 per 8-week cycle
Dorm Room - Double$1,610 per semester
Dorm Room - Single$1,946 per semester
Full Meal Plan*$1,542 per semester
224 Meal Plan$1,388 per semester
112 Meal Plan$994 per semester
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options.

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One-Year Certificate in Worship Arts

Tuition and Fees 2022-2023

Tuition On Campus Courses$407.00 per credit
Tuition Online Courses$443.00 per credit
Student Services fee $247 per 8-week cycle
Dorm Room - Double$1,610 per semester
Dorm Room - Single$1,946 per semester
Full Meal Plan*$1,542 per semester
224 Meal Plan$1,388 per semester
112 Meal Plan$994 per semester
*The full meal plan is required for all freshmen (29 or fewer credits). Students with 30 or more credits recorded on their Calvary transcript may select from other meal plan options.

Download (PDF, 34KB)

Music Department

Dr. Haekyung An

Dr. Haekyung An

M.Mus., M.Mus., D.M.A.

Department Chair of Music, Professor of Music

Dr. Ian Guthrie

Dr. Ian Guthrie

B. Mus., M.M., D.M.

Assistant Professor of Music

Un Chong Christopher

Un Chong Christopher

M.Mus.

Adjunct Faculty, Music

Brittany Hill

Brittany Hill

B.S., M.S.

Interim Department Chair of Theatre, Adjunct Faculty, Music and Theatre Arts

Daniel Peycke

Daniel Peycke

M.Mus.

Adjunct Faculty, Music

Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson

B.Mus., M.M.Ed.

Adjunct Faculty, Music

What will Calvary give you that other colleges and university music programs may not?

The Calvary University Music Department promotes professional development and advanced intellectual enrichment by preparing Christians to serve the church and the world, according to the biblical worldview.

This is accomplished by providing appropriate educational curricula and a climate that fosters the development of intellectual and spiritual maturity, leadership potential, servanthood, and a sense of mission.

Music Department Alumni

Sarah Bourdess

Sarah (Cheslik) Bourdess graduated in May 2018 from Calvary University with a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting. She has also earned a Bachelors degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Calvary University in 2014. She currently directs an Early Music Ensemble, exploring the music of Palestrina and Monteverdi, and has also had experience conducting in several area churches and choirs. Sarah is a member of KCFMT (Kansas City Federated Music Teachers) and currently works as a piano instructor both at her own studio and at a local private school. She and her husband Joel also work for Biblical Ministries Worldwide, traveling and making videos for missionaries around the world.

Tyler Silvey

Tyler Silvey graduated from Calvary University (formerly known as Calvary Bible College) in 2013 with a Bachelors in Worship Arts. He is currently working on his Masters in Music at Liberty University. He led worship for Harvest Bible Chapel in Kansas City and occasionally preached for their student ministry. While there he discovered his passion for pastoral ministry and heart for discipling the youth there. Tyler and his wife, Corbyn, moved to Baltimore, Maryland to help plant a church with the North American Mission Board. Tyler is a Pastor of Family Ministries at Church of the Harbor. He oversees kids and student ministries, along with local outreach and evangelism, and plays in the worship band.

Bethany Williams

Bethany (Franklin) Williams graduated in May 2018 from Calvary University with her Masters degree in Worship Arts with an emphasis in Piano. She has also earned a Bachelors degree in Advanced Biblical Studies from Calvary University. She graduated from Cornerstone Bible Institute in 2013 with a diploma in Bible and Theology and an emphasis in Counseling. She has been playing piano for nineteen years, classical organ for twelve and thoroughly enjoys each opportunity the Lord gives her to play for Him. Formerly, Bethany was employed by the Liberty Public School System as she accompanied choirs of middle school singers! She also accompanied the William Baker Festival Singers, a local Kansas City Choir.

Music Department News

Spring Concert 2023

This Spring Concert theme was centered around a verse from Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”  Audience members were called back to worship and to join in with Music faculty, staff members and current music and non-music students at Calvary University.

2022 Masterworks Chorus - Faure's "Requiem"

The Calvary Masterworks Chorus presented Gabriel Faure’s Requiem. A beautiful work with arguably one of the most beautiful arrangements of the Pie Jesu text. The concert also included Christmas music to help ring in the holiday season.

Spring Concert 2022- Calvary and Friends

Music faculty, staff members, current music and non-music students at Calvary University were joined once again onstage by past musicians, alumni students, and singers in the community. This reunion held a variety of pieces including an instrumental video game themed piece, hymns, musical theatre and much more.

2021 Masterworks Chorus - Vivaldi’s “Gloria”

The Calvary Masterworks Chorus presented an evening of Baroque music as they performed Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria”. The music illustrates the beauty of the Baroque style while including the distinct rhythms and playful melodies attributed to Vivaldi’s composition style.

2021 Sam Rotman Concert

Concert attendees enjoyed an evening of piano music performed by guest artist, Sam Rotman. Mr. Rotman’s program was an “All-Beethoven Program“, in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Beethoven.

Spring Concert 2021

“Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works.”

– Psalm 105:2

This concert was all about giving thanks and praising God. The music chosen reflected this theme and even included a composition written and performed by a student at Calvary University. Other musical pieces were divided between instrumental ensembles, vocal ensembles, and the Chorale. 

2021 - Master Classes

Students enjoyed classes taught by music professors covering subjects such as resumes and how to prepare for an audition.

2020 - Virtual Carols

With Covid running rapid in the streets, the Chorale and Masterworks Chorus joined together to perform and record a virtual concert for Christmas in place of their normal Masterworks chorus.

Spring Concert 2020: A Grand Night for Singing

Due to Covid, this concert was cancelled. Had it proceeded as scheduled, concert attendees would have heard a variety of pieces including musical theatre songs and scene work, hymns of the faith, Christian contemporary, and choral arrangements.

2020 Master Classes

Students enjoyed classes taught by music professors covering subjects such as preparing for a job interview in their field of choice and portfolios.

2019 Masterworks Chorus - Handel's "Messiah"

The Calvary Masterworks Chorus presented an evening of Baroque music as they performed George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”.  This oratorio is a passionate retelling of the Messiah’s life from the Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension. The piece is one of the greatest and most frequently performed oratorios ever written.

Old Time Family Christmas Concert

Calvary University’s Music Department presented their annual Christmas Concert on Friday, December 7 at Blue River Bible Church in Kansas City MO.  The concert played to a full house and was well received by the audience.  The music spanned generations with old and new arrangements of traditional carols along with some well known classical selections from the Nutcracker, Magnificat and others.  The audience joined in for a traditional carol sing with the Chorale and Chamber Singers lighting the room with candles as they sang the first verse of Silent Night in the original German with the audience joining in English for the final verses.  A wonderful end to a lovely night of music.  A beautiful start for our audience as they began their Christmas season as presented by the Calvary Chorale, Calvary Chamber Singers, vocalists and instrumentalists.

2018 Masterworks Chorus- Rutters' "Requiem"

The concert opened with a series of beloved hymns by Charles Wesley, John Newton, and Isaac Watts that have been rethought by British Composer and jazz pianist, Christopher Norton. These beautiful, creative, and moving arrangements were accompanied by a pipe organ to give a new sense of beauty to the 18th-century texts.  John Rutter’s “Requiem” was completed in 1985 and is a choral masterpiece. His setting of this work is beautiful, with melodies that illustrate the depth of the text. The text was a mixture of Latin and English and included a movement that featured his famous setting of Psalm 23.

Piano Dedication Concert

Calvary University’s Music Department performed a Piano Dedication Concert on Friday, September 14, in Liberty Chapel on the KC campus.  We dedicated the grand piano and piano microphone that were donated to the Music Department for use in chapel services, concerts, recitals, and other musical events.  We express our gratitude to the Lord for the generosity of the donors of this beautiful instrument: Mrs. Inci Bashar, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Winkley, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Kelly, and Mr. & Mrs. Michael Silvers.  This was a free concert and was well received by the many who came and enjoyed an evening of wonderful piano music.

2018 Spring Concert

Instrumental ensembles, vocal ensembles, musical theatre, and the Chorale engaged attendees.  We appreciated the hard work by students, faculty, and staff to prepare for this concert, and we will always thank the Lord for the blessing of music.

Grace University Chorale Farewell Tour

The Grace Chorale and Chamber Singers from the former Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, sang on their final tour in the Liberty Chapel at the KC campus on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.  The Chorale was a long-standing tradition at Grace and consisted of 33 members under the direction of Dr. Greg Zielke.  CU faculty, staff, and students were encouraged by the testimonies and singing of these wonderful students.

2017 Christmas Concert

Performed in Liberty Chapel, this concert featured incredible music from the Calvary Chorale, Calvary Men’s Chorale, and other featured performers from our talented music students.  It was a beautiful start to our Christmas season as they presented classical and favorite holiday favorites.

2017 Masterworks Chorus - Felix Mendelssohn's "Elijah"

The Calvary Masterworks Chorus presented an evening of classical music as they performed Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,”  an epic retelling of the Old Testament story of the prophet Elijah. Alongside Handel’s “Messiah,” this piece is considered one of the greatest oratorios ever written with music conveying sheer power and emotion.

2017 Spring Concert

Concert-goers enjoyed an evening of musical selections from CU students, faculty, and staff guaranteed to make our audience want to sing along!

Guest Piano Recital ft. Scott Carrell
2016 Madrigal Dinners

Princess Abigail couldn’t wait to find out if she got the Wee Box 300 for Christmas. Grandmother Margaret, who disliked electronics, presented her with an unusual gift called a “book.” Abigail struggled with the idea of creating a world with her imagination, but slowly, transformed back to a Renaissance feast and the importance of the story of this particular book.  The Princess found out that the first Christmas gift was much better than the gifts we think we want.  It was a wonderful step back in time as the Royal Court and players wove their Christmas story amid music, dancing, and feasting.

2016 Christmas Concert

The concert featured incredible music from the Calvary Chorale, Evidence, and both the Men’s and Women’s Chorales.  Other featured performers included an instrumental ensemble and our talented music students.

2016 Masterworks Chorus- "The Seven Last Words of Christ "

Calvary University presented its annual Masterworks Series, featuring our Chorale and singers and musicians from the local community.  This concert featured two incredible works: Theodore Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ accompanied by organist, Bethany Franklin, and J.S. Bach’s fourth cantata, Christ lag in Todesbanden.