UM’s contemporary courses bring musical success

Only two years ago, a big audience for a University of Mobile (UM) student concert was 300. 
   
That was before the Baptist university created the Center for Performing Arts, named as its director the founder of one of the first contemporary Christian recording groups, and set out to become the preferred provider of Christian musicians for today’s evangelical churches.
   
Now, UM’s students sing before thousands, learn from internationally recognized Christian recording artists, and have unbelievable opportunities — including a chance to sing a solo at a Bill Gaither Homecoming concert and lead worship with Christian recording artist Alicia Williamson Garcia.
   
A lot can change in little time.
   
“It’s awesome to see what is happening here,” said Mark Harris, a member of 4Him, which has compiled 24 No. 1 hits and 10 albums. 
   
Harris, who is co-teaching a new course in commercial songwriting with Wes Tuttle of Integrity Music, said the program “has moved into the modern era, equipping young men and women for the needs of the church. Things are different now because of the change in worship” in the church.
   
Roger Breland, director of the UM Center for Performing Arts, said the credit belongs to his faculty and especially to UM President Mark Foley, who wanted the university to expand beyond its traditional music program into preparing graduates for leadership roles in contemporary worship, while retaining the classical traditions. 
   
The move is part of an overall emphasis throughout the university to more fully integrate faith and learning with a Christian world view perspective. 
   
“We’re developing the next generation of Christian leaders,” Breland said. 
   
It’s a generation built on the combination of contemporary Christian music and a solid foundation of traditional musical training, along with a liberal arts education taught from a Christian world view. 
   
The result is a program that is already producing students who are making their mark in evangelical Christian music.
   
UM graduate student Alicia Morris is one of those students. She earned an opportunity to perform a solo at the upcoming Gaither Homecoming Concert on Feb. 19 at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile.
   
“Of course I know that ultimately God did every bit of this, but God used Roger Breland and the Center for Performing Arts as a tool for making things happen,” Morris said. “Mr. Breland loves to help young people, to invest his life into someone else and help them get where they want to be.”
   
Morris said Breland’s support and encouragement is helping make her dream a reality.
   
“My dream is to be able to do this the rest of my life, to share Christ through song,” she said. “The University of Mobile tells us they want us to be change agents throughout the world. 
   
“My dream is to use the gift that God has given me to be a change agent in the world, to affect the lives of others around me, by sharing through music what God has done in my life.”
   
In less than two years the number of music majors has nearly doubled, from 45 to 88, with 136 students participating in performing groups. The program has grown from six full-time professors to 10, including professors who perform professionally with opera companies, symphonies, and Christian touring groups. There are 17 part-time instructors.
   
Breland hs expanded the course offerings, adding improvisational piano, commercial voice, commercial songwriting and praise band. He has created a variety of new performing groups, including Ram Corps drum and bugle corps, Sounds of Mobile show choir, Voices of Mobile a cappella ensemble, and plans to add a strings ensemble next year.
   
Breland said the emphasis on performance has a spiritual side.
   
“We’re trying to teach them not only musical skills, but the practical and spiritual things they will need to be leaders,” he said. 
   
For more about the University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org. (UM)