NIGERIAN SEMINARY WELCOMES DR. PENNY

Dr. Michael Penny taught for three weeks at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomoso, Nigeria this past January. Nigeria has the fourth largest Baptist convention in the world as a result of some of the earliest work of the Foreign Mission Board. The Seminary is in the process of updating its School of Church Music and Dr. Penny taught classes in Worship, Conducting, English Diction, and applied voice. North Africa will soon overtake the West as the Christian center of the world. Our hope is that Union can develop a permanent relationship with the Nigerian Seminary.

It is the deep desire of the Department of Music at Union University to glorify God by offering our musical gifts in service to the university, the church, and the world. From this desire springs our commitment to provide educational and performance opportunities of the highest caliber to our students, preparing them to employ their talents successfully and continually, enhance their skills, and equip others to do the same. Through our discipline and performances, we hope to inspire in all an appreciation for music and its unique power to touch souls, change lives, communicate truth, unite people, and glorify God. These aspirations can be focused into two basic callings: to exalt, to inspire.

The Department of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Our faculty members earn national honors and perform and teach across the globe. Our ensembles receive performance invitations to prestigious venues, and our students enter graduate programs and career fields across the continent. Yet our calling remains the same: to exalt our Creator and to inspire others to higher levels of musical excellence and deeper understanding of truth and beauty through the art of music.

On behalf of our department and Union University, I welcome you to explore, enhance, and employ your musical gifts with us. When you do, you will find our expectations high and our passion deep. You will learn from exceptionally gifted musicians who will be personally concerned with your development as a musician and as a person. And you will forge friendships, make memories, and refine your talent and intellect in ways that will last your lifetime and beyond.

Chris Mathews
Department of Music chair