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Make a joyful noise
From the passionate belting of the psalmists to the angels announcing our Savior’s birth, the Scriptures are littered with examples of God’s people boldly proclaiming His great works through song. Fitting then that we carry on the practice today. By lifting our voices and musical talents to the Lord during worship, we honor Him and stir others to know Him better. And behind every jubilant congregation is someone—like you—guiding the worship and offering up their musical talents in service to Him.
Program Overview
Through the master's degree in church music, you’ll be encouraged to strengthen your theological knowledge and grow as a church musician so that you can better guide and enhance others’ worship. Our graduate program is designed to be completed exclusively in summer sessions, or in combination with evening sessions. This allows us to meet your needs outside of the traditional academic year, while still providing the beneficial personal interaction with the faculty. You’ll be able to choose from three areas of emphasis: organ, choral, and handbells. And even though our courses are taught from a distinctly Lutheran perspective, all denominations are always welcome.
What to Expect
Through this master’s program, you’ll not only perfect your musical abilities, you’ll deepen your understanding of how music ought to relate to theology, specifically in a worship setting. With the combination of these two areas of expertise, you’ll grow in your ability to shape meaningful worship experiences for parishioners. What will your course work look like? Some courses will focus on areas like music theory, arranging, and composing. Others will prepare you for leadership roles in conducting and directing choirs or instrumental groups. Towards the end of your education, you’ll be asked to demonstrate a knowledge of liturgical music practices, musical forms, and the history of music in the church.
Concentrations / Specializations
- Organ
- Choral
- Handbells
Locations
In addition to our main and online campuses, Concordia has nine center locations which offer accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs close to where you live and work.
- Mequon
Program Requirements
To gain “degree seeking” status, you must
- complete a qualifying audition, pass MUS 541 Graduate Theory Review course or MUS 642 Form and Analysis
- submit a written examination in General Music History, and
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years (or last 48 credit hours) of undergraduate work
To gain “candidacy” status, you must
- successfully complete 24 hours of coursework in the degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better
- pass the Qualifying Audition, Theory and History examinations
Outcomes & Paths
Career Paths
- Director of Church Music
- Organist
- Parish Choir Director
- Church Worker
How to Apply
Graduate Application Steps
These programs have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.00.
Admissions Process for Graduate School
- Application (Please Submit the Following):
- Application form available at: www.cuw.edu/apply
- Non-refundable application fee
- One page essay describing your reason for obtaining a graduate degree
- Résumé of your education and employment experience
- Two signed letters of recommendation using the Recommendation Form (recommendation letters on letterhead may also be submitted)
- All official transcripts leading to your bachelor’s degree
Please note:
-
- Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE are not required
- If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information on transferring graduate credits
- International students should contact the Office of International Student Services at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional application requirements
- Evaluation
When an applicant’s file is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review. - Admission
If the student is admitted, an acceptance letter will be mailed to the student and the student’s Falcon One Student ID number. Password information to access my.cuw.edu will be sent separately from the Information Technology office. Your advisor will be able to give you information regarding completion of the required student orientation before you begin your first class.
Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students
- Please complete the Non-Degree Application at www.cuw.edu/apply
- Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin admission review; however academic transcripts may be requested to complete our review
Contact Us
For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262.243.4300.
Alexa Doebele D.M.A., M.M.E., B.M.
Associate Professor
Office: Rincker Hall R109C
Phone: (262) 243-4241
Email: alexa.doebele@cuw.edu
Bio
Dr. Alexa Doebele is associate professor of music and Director of Choral Activities at Concordia University Wisconsin, where she conducts Kammerchor, Selah, and the Chapel Choir, in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting, and choral literature. She joined the CUW faculty in 2009, having taught previously at the University of Wyoming, the University of Colorado, and Front Range Community College. She is a ten-year veteran of K-12 music education, most recently at Iver C. Ranum High School in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, and is active as an editor of choral music. Prior to her arrival in Wisconsin, Dr. Doebele recently served as the Director of Music at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She is also active as both a solo and choral singer, most recently with Vox Antiqua, a newly-formed early music ensemble for which she is also the artistic director, and previously with the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the Colorado Conductors’ Chorus, the Ars Nova Singers, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, the Boulder Chorale, the Littleton Chorale, and the Colorado Symphony Chorus. Dr. Doebele can be heard as a featured soloist with the Ars Nova Singers on the CDs I Heard a Voice and blue true dream, and she has performed solo and choral works with them on tour in Santa Fe, NM, Washington, DC, and Vancouver, Canada. She completed a bachelor’s degree (double major in vocal performance and German language and literature) at Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Colorado.
Education
- BM - Vocal performance; German language and literature, Washington University (1990)
- MME - Music Education, University of Colorado (1993)
- DMA - Choral Conducting and Literature, University of Colorado (2009)
Contributions
- Doebele, A. (2016). Nimm mich mir by J. S. Bach (15-94410). (pp. 15-94410). Indianapolis, IN: Colla Voce Music.
- Doebele, A. (2012). Music in the Cloud for the Modern Choral Director 53 (5, pp. 5). Oklahoma City, OK: Choral Journal.
Presentations
- Doebele, A. (2017). Lutheran Theological Symbolism in the Music of J. S. Bach. Lecture. Reformation 500 Lunch-n-Learn series. Mequon, WI, USA.
- Doebele, A. (2017). Vocal Techniques for Church Choirs. Oral Presentation. Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music. River Forest, IL.
- Doebele, A. (2017). Better Communication through Conducting. Oral Presentation. Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music. River Forest, IL.
- Doebele, A. (2017). Theological Symbolism in the Music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Oral Presentation. Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music. River Forest, IL.
- Doebele, A. (2017). What Do You Mean Vowels Have Pitch?. Lecture. Wisconsin Choral Directors Association conference. Wausau, WI.
Research Interests
- Choral music of the German Baroque
- Choral music of the English Renaissance
Teaching Interests
- Conducting choral ensembles
- Teaching conducting
James Freese
Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4245
Email: james.freese@cuw.edu
Education
- Organ Performance, Northwestern University (2008)
Lynn Little
Assistant Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4289
Email: lynn.little@cuw.edu
Bio
Lynn Little teaches music theory, aural training, and keyboard skills. Her areas of interest include music theory pedagogy, composition, keyboard performance, and the music of J.S. Bach.
Education
- MM - Piano Performance, Indiana University (1981)
- Music Education, Augustana College (1979)
- Music Performance - Piano, Augustana College (1979)
- Music Performance - Piano, Indiana University (1981)
Research Interests
- J.S. Bach
- Music and semiotics
Teaching Interests
- Music Theory/Aural Training
- Form and Analysis
Summer 2018
Session One (June 11 – 22)
MUS 569 – Issues in Church Music
8:30 – Noon
James Freese
MUS 642 – Form and Analysis
1:30 – 5:00
Lynn Little
Session Two (June 25 – July 6)
MUS 551 – Advanced Choral Conducting
8:30 – Noon
Alexa Doebele
MUS 541 – Graduate Theory Review
1:30 – 5:00
Lynn Little
Sessions One and Two (June 11 – July 6)
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
Lessons by Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
Lessons by Appointment
James Freese
Bell Week (July 9 – 13)
MUS 686 – Handbell Performance
8:30 – 5:00 (M, T, W, TH)
8:30 – Noon (F)
Mark Bloedow
Fall 2018
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Spring 2019
MUS 571 – Musical Heritage of the Church
Mondays 6:30 – 9:15
James Freese
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Summer 2019
Session One (June 10 – 21)
MUS 642 – Form and Analysis
8:30 – Noon
Lynn Little
MUS 571 – Musical Heritage of the Church
1:30 – 5:00
William Braun
Session Two (June 24 – July 5)
MUS 551 – Advanced Choral Conducting
8:30 – Noon
Gloria Hansen
MUS 522 – Organ Literature
1:30 – 5:00 P.M.
Irene Beethe
MUS 541 – Graduate Theory Review
1:30 – 5:00 P.M.
Lynn Little
Bell Week (July 8 – 12)
Composing for Handbells
8:30 – 5:00 M, T, W, H
8:30 – Noon F
Staff
Sessions One and Two (June 10 – July 5)
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Fall 2019
MUS 552 Choral Literature
Mondays 6:30 – 9:15 P.M.
Alexa Doebele
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Spring 2020
MUS 565 – Survey of Christian Hymnody
Mondays 6:30 – 9:15 P.M.
James Freese
MUS 585 – Handbell Methods and Materials
Tuesdays 6:30 – 9:15 P.M.
Mark Bloedow
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Summer 2020
Session One (June 8 – 19)
MUS 565 – Survey of Christian Hymnody
8:30 – Noon
Paul Westermeyer
MUS 642 – Form and Analysis
1:30 – 5:00
Lynn Little
MUS 545 – Composing and Arranging
1:30 – 5:00
David Cherwien
Session Two (June 22 – July 3)
MUS 541 – Graduate Theory Review
8:30 – Noon
Lynn Little
MUS 552 – Choral Literature
8:30 – Noon
Alexa Doebele
MUS 585 – Handbell Methods and Materials
1:30 – 5:00
Mark Bloedow
Bell Week (July 6 – 10)
MUS 586 – Conducting Handbells
8:30 – 5:00 M, T, W, H
8:30 – Noon F
Mark Bloedow
Sessions One and Two (June 8 – July 3)
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Fall 2020
MUS 569 – Issues in Church Music
Mondays 6:30 – 9:15 P.M.
James Freese
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Spring 2021
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
Summer 2021
Session One (June 7 – 18)
MUS 642 – Form and Analysis
8:30 – Noon
Lynn Little
MUS 569 – Issues in Church Music
1:30 – 5:00 P.M.
James Freese
Session Two (June 22 – July 2)
MUS 551 – Advanced Choral Conducting
8:30 – Noon
Alexa Doebele
MUS 541 – Graduate Theory Review
1:30 – 5:00
Lynn Little
Bell Week (July 5 – 9)
MUS 686 – Handbell Performance
8:30 – 5:00 M, T, W, H
8:30 – Noon F
Mark Bloedow
Sessions One and Two (June 7 – July 2)
MUS 511 – Applied Voice
By Appointment
Staff
MUS 521 – Applied Organ
By Appointment
James Freese
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