Cruse Institute for the Arts

Ministry Practicum provides an opportunity for the student to receive credit for participation in various areas of voluntary ministry at an affiliate church.  Students are required to serve two - three hours per week (a minimum of thirty-six  (36) hours each semester in which they are enrolled.  To satisfy graduation requirements, a student must serve every semester in which they are enrolled as a full-time student.

Prerequisite:  MNPR1202

Ministry Practicum provides an opportunity for the student to receive credit for participation in various areas of voluntary ministry at an affiliate church.  Students are required to serve two  - three hours per week (a minimum of thirty-six  (36) hours each semester in which they are enrolled.  To satisfy graduation requirements, a student must serve every semester in which they are enrolled as a full-time student.

Prerequisite:  MNPR 2202

This course involves the development of vocal technique and musical style. Study emphasizes the principles of breathing, voice production, tone quality, enunciation and interpretation.

All musicians need keyboard proficiency to function as teachers, performers, composers, or arrangers.  The purpose of this class is to aid students in becoming comfortable with keyboard techniques.  A description of the various areas that are covered in this class are:

• chord progressions
• harmonization
• improvisation
• playing by ear
• reading
• repertoire/performance
• rhythm
• scales and arpeggios
• technique

This course involves the development of proper bass technique, timing and reading ability. It is combined with the application of music theory principles. Topics include learning by ear, theory and technique, rhythmic interpretation,
improvisation, reading, song form and interpreting lead sheets.

This course includes the development of functional guitar skills. Topics include learning by ear, theory and technique, accompaniment style, scales, strumming patterns, chord construction, music reading, melody playing and solo guitar techniques.

This course involves the development of proper drum set technique, rhythms and reading ability. It is combined with the application of music theory principles. Topics include theory and technique, rhythmic interpretation, improvisation, reading, song form and different music styles.

This course is a continuation of MUAP 1402. It involves the continued development of vocal technique and musical style. Study emphasizes the principles of breathing, voice production, tone quality, enunciation and interpretation. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context. Also covers solo and ensemble repertoire and observation of choral directors/worship leaders.

Prerequisite: MUAP 1402

This course is a continuation of MUAP 1412. Instruction includes continued development in sight-reading, improvisation, keyboard technique in all major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, and selected chord progressions. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context. Also covers solo and ensemble repertoire.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 1412

This course is a continuation of MUAP 1422. It involves the continued development of proper bass technique, timing and reading ability. It is combined with the application of music theory principles. Topics include learning by ear, theory and technique, rhythmic interpretation, improvisation, reading, song form and interpreting lead sheets. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 1422

This course is a continuation of MUAP 1432. It includes the continued development of functional guitar skills. Topics include learning by ear, theory and technique, accompaniment style, scales, strumming patterns, chord construction, music reading, melody playing and solo guitar techniques. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context. Also includes solo and ensemble repertoire.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 1432

This course is a continuation of MUAP 1442. It involves the continued development of proper drum set technique, rhythms and reading ability. It is combined with the application of music theory principles. Topics include theory and technique, rhythmic interpretation, improvisation, reading, song form and different music styles. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 1442

This course is a continuation of MUAP 2402.  It involves the continued development of vocal technique and musical style.   Study emphasizes the principles of breathing, voice production, tone quality, enunciation and interpretation. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context.  Also covers solo and ensemble repertoire and observation of choral directors/worship leaders.

Prerequisite: MUAP 2402

This course is a continuation of MUAP 2412. Instruction includes continued development in sight-reading, improvisation, keyboard technique in all major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, and selected chord progressions. Emphasis is placed on skills necessary for functioning within a praise and worship context. Also covers solo and ensemble repertoire.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 2412

This course is a continuation of guitar studies and includes the development and function of guitar skills. Topics include discipline in practice, right and left hand techniques, scale training, interval training, accompaniment and Jazz/Neo Soul solo concepts.

Prerequisite:  MUAP 2432

This is a forum where topics of importance regarding worship will be covered.  During the course, students will be learning different basic aspects of integrating worship into a service setting.  From technical support to song preparation, leading worship to planning a service, each student will be involved in their local church with other students/ musicians, praise team members.    This will be accomplished in an active setting in the student's local church - serving/ participating for a minimum of 3 hours every week each semester.  Online instruction will include guest speakers and worship leaders from around the world.  It also integrates a character building study guide to aid students in developing the skills necessary for working with artists and team members.  Some of these elements will be discussed in the instructional videos and weekly webinars.  Other elements will be integrated through the student's local church worship community.

Basics in Worship Lab provides an opportunity for the student to receive credit for participation in various aspects of the worship arts ministry at an affiliate church.  It is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in online courses.  This course is a continuation of MUEN 1402

Prerequisite:  MUEN 1402

This course will be an intern-based course where the student will utilize what they have learned in previous semesters, by "practicing" a leadership role regarding worship ministry.  During this course, students will be required to take an active role in their own development as a worship leader and produce practical tools for leading/developing a worship team.

Prerequisite:  MUEN 2402

This course is designed to teach a better understanding of acoustics, sound reinforcement, equipment performance and selection, system installation and operation and minor troubleshooting. It will help the student develop a comprehensive and working knowledge of sound, sound systems, sound reproduction and reinforcement, and their integration through study, example and application.

This course provides an introduction to the techniques of writing songs including the writing of lyrics and melodies, understanding the dynamic relationships between melody, harmony, rhythm and rhyme, setting lyrics to music and developing lyrical and musical “hooks”.

In this course, the student will learn how to become proficient in recording, arranging, mixing, producing, and editing music using ProTools.  It will assist the student in developing the techniques and skills necessary in the recording process. 

Prerequisite:  MUSI 1402

Intermediate techniques of writing songs including the writing of lyrics and melodies, understanding the dynamic relationships between melody, harmony, rhythm and rhyme, setting lyrics to music and developing lyrical and musical “hooks”.

Prerequisite:  MUSI 1412

In this course, the student will learn how to become proficient in recording, arranging, mixing, producing, and editing music using Logic Pro X.   This course is designed to equip the student with the knowledge needed to complete the Logic Pro X certification exam.

This course is a practical lab class and covers the fundamentals of conducting including beat patterns and various gestures for attack, release and phrasing. It includes the use of the left hand, score reading, development of aural skills, rehearsal techniques and interpretation. Particular attention is given to the needs of the church musician/worship leader.

Throughout time, the move of God has been accompanied by joyous, lively, music that related to the people concerned in lyrics and style.  You cannot have a move of God without music any more than you could jump in the ocean and not get wet.  This class will trace the move of God through music, looking at how Godly music influenced the world around us, as well as how the world around us has influenced our music.  In scope, we will look at music from the creation of the world until modern times, always following the great love God has for music, noting both His use of music, and the way His creation responds to Him with music. As we take this journey together our desire is not only for a musical education for the student, but also that the student would learn to question, to think, and to explore the “why’s” of church music today.

This course provides detailed instruction in the fundamentals of music theory, including a study of the staff, clefs, key signatures, scales, time signatures, notation, meter and rhythm, major and minor chords, intervals and basic
musical terminology. This course also includes the application of theory at the keyboard and rhythmic, melodic and harmonic ear training.

This course is a companion course to MUTH 1401. It includes practice and drill combined with lecture-demonstration teaching methods and computer-assisted instruction to develop skills enabling the student to correctly interpret music that is notated and to correctly notate music that is heard.

This course is an introduction to chord progressions, song forms and harmonic techniques used in popular music.  This course also includes basic aural, visual and vocal experiences in dictation and singing at sight with emphasis on identifying chord progressions, motion and melody/harmony relationship of popular music.

This semester builds on the basic concepts covered in first year theory, and looks at some more complex things in terms of rhythm, melody, and harmony (music). Latin music contains many rhythms, and there are many styles within this broad range of music:  African, Afro-Cuban, Salsa, Reggae, etc.  Being comfortable with these styles of music and their rhythms will expand and improve your musical ability greatly.  Harmonic and Melodic minor scales are 2 more tonalities that we will be learning.  Some other scales will be studied also.  You will find that the foundation of a good understanding of Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor will help make all the other scales make sense, and you will know how to apply them where ever you want, or need to. 

Prerequisite:  MUTH 1402

This course is a continuation of MUTH 1412 and is a companion course to MUTH 2401. It includes practice and drill combined with lecture-demonstration teaching methods and computer-assisted instruction to develop skills enabling the student to correctly interpret music that is notated and to correctly notates music that is heard.

Prerequisite:  MUTH 1402 and 1412

This course is designed to equip the student with methods and tools to better understand and study the Bible, including book, character, word and topical studies. It will include a study of the history of the Bible and will introduce the student to hermeneutical techniques with an emphasis on the inductive study method and methods of interpreting the different forms of literature found in the Bible. This course will also introduce the student to study tools such as Bible commentaries, word study aids, original language aids and computer software.

This course is a study of the book of Hebrews with an emphasis on the “superiority of Christ” and his high priestly work.

Prerequisite:  BIBL 2401

This course is a historical-thematic survey of the Old Testament.  It provides an overview of the messages, authors and the main themes of the Old Testament books.  It also provides some background in the cultural, historical,  geographical and archaeological settings in which Bible events occurred.

This course is designed to build your faith and your understanding of faith as illuminated in God’s Word. It deals with the concept of faith in God and His Word. Emphasis is placed on scriptural means to develop ever-increasing faith in God.  Objectives for this course include:

• To know the scriptural definition of faith.
• To know what faith can accomplish.
• To understand the scriptures concerning faith.
• To impart faith to the student.

This course examines the biblical principles of effective evangelism.  It will help the student develop evangelism as a lifestyle and examines how to maximize relational sharing in the lives of leaders and members.  Students will gain practical experience in evangelism through hands-on evangelism efforts.

This course is designed to explore the fundamental elements that are necessary to being a worshipper.  Through this course the student will:

• process information as well as articulate biblical principles and concepts as they pertain to worship
• understand the various elements of worship:  the place, the heart, the styles, the “why’s”, and the “how’s
• investigate the differences between Old Testament and New Testament worship.
• experience the concept of extemporaneous worship.
• understand that worship is eternal
• learn how to cultivate the heart of a worshipper.

This course is a continuation of THEO 1407.  Through this course, students will understand how God builds a person into a leader, how to recognize the proving ground of leadership in their life, how to develop strategic leadership skills and habits and becoming a passionate equipper of other leaders.

Prerequisite: THEO 1407

This course is designed for a detailed study of the life of David, one of the most devoted worshippers of the Bible.  This course covers most of the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.  It also covers some of the Psalms as well as 1 and 2 Chronicles.  This course is devoted to answering practical questions about being a person after God's own heart.

This course explores the essential elements that are necessary to being a worshipper, focusing on developing a heart and lifestyle of worship.

Prerequisite:  THEO 1406

This course is designed to introduce the student to apologetics.  It will address eight basic objections to the Christian faith that are held by the atheist and agnostic community.  It is designed to help students develop the ability to defend their faith in a logical manner.

This course is a continuation of THEO 2410 and provides an outline of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and surveys the order of the events in His earthly ministry.

Prerequisite:  THEO 2410

This course is designed to examine further the elements that should be found consistently in the life of a worshipper.  It will help the student further understand and be able to discuss the various elements of worship pertaining to both the corporate body and the individual life of the believer.

Prerequisite:  THEO 2404