WMU 3103 (LUOA), WMUS 103 (LUO): Music Theory for Worship Leaders

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 03/11/2025

Course Description

A practical introduction to harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic principles of music for the worship leader. Musical elements including key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, chord construction and chord progression are introduced as the foundation for harmonic analysis of traditional, contemporary Christian, popular, and jazz music. Special attention is given to the Nashville Number System and jazz harmony practices as an accepted methodology for music analysis. Examination of contemporary Christian music genres provides resource for practical application of harmonic principles.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Next Start Date*

August 18, 2025

LUOA Equivalent Course*

WMU 3103: Music Theory for Worship Leaders, 3 LUO credits.

Program Restrictions*

DPL: Part Time Student (SPCA-DPL-D) Excluded

High School Diploma Requirements*

Contributes .5 credits to LUOA – Fine Art/Career/Tech Ed, Fine Art/Career/Technical Ed Requirement.

Rationale

For practitioners of worship in the 21st-century church, one of the primary mediums of communication is music. Music serves as a valuable tool for the facilitation of worship within the local church, and though this medium is not itself worship, it is commonplace in the evangelical community. Music, therefore, merits thorough understanding and study. This course seeks to provide a foundational understanding of music through exploration of the elements most critical to the worship leader.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Worksheet Assignments (11)

The student will complete number unique Worksheet Assignments that focus on many foundational elements of music. The exercises needed to complete each assignment are drawn from the workbook of Music Theory for the Christian Musician and are housed in a software called Flat. The worksheet assignments consist of two main types: 1) interactive exercises created by Flat and 2) a musical score that the student manipulates.

Quizzes (7)

Most quizzes will cover the Learn material for the module in which it is assigned. A few quizzes also explore elements from earlier modules. The quizzes contain multiple-choice, multiple-answer, essay, and matching questions. The amount of time and point values vary greatly between each quiz. In addition to the graded quizzes, a series of practice quizzes is provided. The student can repeat the practice quizzes as often and as many times as desired. The goal of these practice quizzes is to hone skill and understanding in preparation for the graded quizzes. Students are granted multiple attempts on most quizzes.

Final Assignments (3)

The student will create a variety of charts useful in making music. Completion of the assignment occurs in stages throughout the course and requires an in-depth understanding of many course concepts. The student will use the provided files to create a chord chart, Nashville Numbers, and a Number Chart.

*Course specifics are tentative and subject to change each year. For the most current information, please refer to the Course Registration Tool.