The University of Mobile (UM) announces the creation of the UM “Center for Performing Arts” with the purpose of becoming the preferred provider of Christian musicians for evangelical churches in the United States, according to UM President Mark Foley.
Director of the center is Roger Breland, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and founder of the contemporary Christian group Truth. Breland’s experience in the contemporary Christian music field and his contacts within the music industry and in evangelical churches throughout the world will be key in expanding the focus of UM’s music program, Foley said.
The broader focus means that while UM will continue to provide the foundations in music education ranging from classical to jazz to opera, there will be a new emphasis on contemporary Christian options.
“It’s a reflection of the strength of our current program that many of our students and graduates have found success in the contemporary Christian music industry,” Foley said. For example, contemporary Christian group Big Daddy Weave was born on the UM campus; Dove Award-winner choral composer Steven V. Taylor is a UM graduate, as is Jamie Harvill, who composed the popular anthems “Ancient of Days” and “Firm Foundation,” while Beverly Williamson Darnall, who produced Amy Grant’s concert tours, attended UM.
“We have graduates leading music programs in churches, teaching music in both secular and sacred venues and performing and writing Christian music.
“With Roger Breland’s leadership, we will see more high-profile contemporary Christian groups such as Big Daddy Weave, more composers, more worship leaders, more music teachers — all with the solid musical training to enable them to be successful in whatever venue they choose to share their talents,” Foley said.
Breland pointed to the school’s recent StarLight outdoor music festival (see story above) as an example of the types of changes in store through the Center for Performing Arts.
The event brought an audience of more than 3,300 people to UM’s campus and featured UM student music groups along with headliners Ricky Skaggs, Christian recording artist Alicia and former UM student Jason Guy of CBS’ “Big Brother 3” reality television show.
“We’re emphasizing performance, and we’re giving our students a platform to perform,” Breland said. “For students, that means they are putting their classroom lessons to practice. The more opportunities they have to sing, to play and to perform, the more confident and prepared they will be.”
Foley said the university is currently searching for a senior academic fellow who will assist Breland and provide academic leadership in the program. Current faculty members will broaden their teaching focus to include contemporary Christian music. Faculty will be added as the program grows.
The Center for Performing Arts includes the areas of instrument and vocal performance, theater, music theater, music education and church music. The center will coordinate with UM’s one-year-old bachelor’s degree in worship leadership, offered in conjunction with Integrity Worship Institute.
Breland said new courses will be developed, including a music business course that will be offered through the school of business for the first time during spring semester 2004. In addition, Breland said he will bring in guest lecturers with expertise in all areas of music.
“We’ll expose students to professionals in both the sacred and secular music industry in the areas of performance, business, production and other roles,” Breland said.
Breland joined the University of Mobile in November 2002 as special assistant to the president and artist in residence.
He was charged with helping UM create a broader exposure for its music program. His first project was StarLight at the University of Mobile.
Breland was founder and director of Truth until he retired and the group disbanded in June 2002.
Prestigious director
For 31 years, Truth traveled 3 million miles, performed 10,000 concerts in 26 countries, made 60 albums and involved 400 musical artists.
Many of those are now popular Christian recording artists such as 4Him, Natalie Grant, Alicia, Avalon, Russ Lee, Kim Noblitt, Chuck Newman and current director of UM’s Vision touring group Mike Thomas and UM’s current jazz band director Shane Philen.
In October 2000, the Gospel Music Association inducted Breland into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 1997, he received the prestigious MUSICalifornia Ray DeVries Church Music Ministry Award.
Breland is an Alabama Baptist and a native of Mobile. Prior to starting Truth with his wife, Linda, in 1971, Breland served in Alabama Baptist churches in Elba, Union Springs, Opp and at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile.
For more information, call 1-800-946-7267 or check online at www.umobile.edu. (UM)
Share with others: