There is something universally uplifting about gospel music. Grounded in soul and deeply rooted in spirit, you can just feel the triumph, hope and perseverance in every note. Whether or not you’re a fan, gospel has influenced virtually every musical genre – from Adele to Kanye West, traces of these soul stirring hymns have made an undeniable mark on your favorite mainstream Top 40 hits.

Gospel is largely viewed as a calling to ministry, equally based on natural talent and spiritual anointing. While college programs in voice performance, classical music, and jazz can be found at many reputable universities, gospel music has never been a focused area of study. Well, that’s about to change. Beginning Fall 2016, Nyack College in Manhattan will be offering a new degree in Gospel Music Performance. The 120-credit program includes all the courses required for Bachelor of Music degree, in addition to a core gospel curriculum including options to minor in the Bible and Ministry.

This academic discipline in gospel music does not negate or supersede the call to ministry, it merely compliments it. In an interview with NPR professor Willana Mack, the creator of the curriculum puts it this way, “I don’t recommend for people to study gospel music if they don’t feel that God is leading them to study it, because it does have to start with God calling you to do this. And so there are things in gospel music that when you study, you start to understand the musical side of it, in addition to the spiritual side.”

Well, alright then! We look forward to hearing great things from the first Gospel Music Performance graduating class at Nyack College.

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Nyack College

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