A Joyful Noise: School of Music voice professor retires after 40 years of service

When Professor of Music and Voice Dr. Patricia Campbell joined Liberty University in 1985 as an adjunct faculty member, she did not realize how her influence would help grow the school’s worship program and open incredible opportunities for students.

In 1985, Campbell became an adjunct faculty member in the College of Arts & Sciences, which supported the music department at the time. In 1995, she was offered a full-time position teaching vocal pedagogy and private vocal lessons at all course levels. She also taught opera workshops. She was instrumental in the development of the school’s first worship degree.

Campbell retired in December after 40 years of service at Liberty.

In addition to teaching, Campbell has performed throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., in opera, oratorio, and musical theatre. In 1999, she won the Fairfax Choral Society’s Young Artist Competition and performed as guest soloist with the Fairfax Symphony and Chorus.

A Lynchburg, Va., native, Campbell always remained active in her local church by singing and performing. She earned her undergraduate degree in music at University of Lynchburg, her master’s in vocal performance at University of Maryland, and her doctorate in vocal pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory.

She had met some Liberty faculty through local musical gigs and when she was offered a job at Liberty, she said, “I thought, of all places, with my growing up in the church and singing a lot in the church, that I would have a heart for students who were here.”

Campbell transitioned to part time for a few years to focus on raising her children, Matthew and Katie, but when she returned full time, she envisioned a degree program specifically for students with a passion for worship. As she developed the curriculum, she ran into one issue: she did not have the training to teach a variety of music styles, and she wanted worship students to learn multiple genres. Liberty sent her on a weeklong trip to New York City in 2001 to learn from esteemed vocal teachers like Robert Edwin, Broadway singers, and performers in the Big Apple and New Jersey.

Campbell said she was shocked at the amount of interest when the worship program first launched shortly after her trip. Each week, she taught over 60 students between five classes and private lessons, alongside jazz guitarist and former Liberty faculty member Vince Lewis. As the program rapidly grew and became the Center for Music and Worship, the school hired more professors.

“For such a new program (to have so many students), it was just unbelievable,” she said.

Campbell experienced many career highlights at Liberty, including singing the Star-Spangled Banner at Liberty’s 1997 Commencement, where the Rev. Billy Graham delivered the keynote address. Additionally, she was the vocal director for three theater performances at Liberty: “Phantom of the Opera,” “Peter Pan,” and “Oklahoma.” She also sang regularly for Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Campbell said the faculty and administration at Liberty supported her through her professional and personal endeavors, including while she pursued her doctorate.

She said one of the aspects she loved most about Liberty was its dedication to providing excellent education and genuine care to students.

“They are committed to excellence in education and always trying to improve themselves, learning new things and new ways to teach higher education as well as fostering a community of love and caring,” she said. “Those things together — the (Christian) mission with also the mission for education combined — they’re just a really powerful combination.”

“It’s more than just teaching, more than just imparting knowledge to students about singing,” Campbell continued. “It’s been very much a connection to the students and a love for the students and the love that they show back. I didn’t experience that when I taught at other colleges as much. But here, we have a special bond with the students in our faith, and that is also true with faculty.”

After 40 years of Training Champions for Christ, she is looking forward to moving to Nashville, Tenn., to be close to her grandson. Though she has retired, Campbell’s passion for music has not waned, and she plans to seek out performance while she continues serving as an adjunct faculty member for Liberty University Online Programs.