The first Christian pop academy in Europe is set to launch its program in September 2016. Whether gospel, rock, jazz or pop; the Evangelical Church of Westphalia would train church musicians to make phenomenal music.
Choral works by Rilling, Bach or Pachelbel are certainly not about to disappear from church services in Germany; but contemporary worship songs have progressively grown more popular over the past 20 years or so, becoming a worthy contender. So, by starting its own pop academy, Evangelical Church of Westphalia wishes to go one step further in reinforcing this trend.
Since the 1960s, several Protestant musicians have written and recorded songs about their faith after drawing inspiration from contemporary musical styles. Some of these Christian bands, soloists and choirs have gained recognition, even to the point of resembling other secular pop stars.
“The Evangelical Church speaks many musical languages,” said Vicco von Bülow.
Bülow is the regional church counselor responsible for the music department of Westphalian Church. He elucidated how churches have been sensing a growing need to improve the promotion of new music. For example, extended qualifications are now required for a church musician. As of now, the church does not offer any proper training in popular music, but Bülow senses that this will soon change.
Approximately, 10 students will be admitted each semester as part of the program. After completing eight semesters, they could be eligible for a bachelor’s degree, following which they could become professional Christian pop musicians. The academy is planning a master’s program as well. That program would be made available in Dortmund and Bochum.
The initiators describe the project as ‘quality offensive’, with contributors being specially chosen to this effect. Hartmut Neumann, formerly served as director of the department of popular music at North Church in Hamburg, will now head the academy as prorector. Dieter Falk is another major asset of this pop academy. Having achieved the status of one of the most successful musicians and producers in Germany’s Christian and secular music scenes, Falk is responsible for more than 50 platinum and gold records, adding more than 20 million albums sold. He is also one of the initiators of this project.
“A full program awaits the future students. There will be a broad range of pop music classes with majors in piano and guitar. Then there's also choral conducting, musical arrangement, theory on the theological and liturgical progression of a church service, songwriting, sound, and concert management,” Falk said.
The musicians would also be trained to lead a band of young musicians.
“For instance, for a confirmation, some might want to learn a Rihanna song for their school's religious service,” explained Falk.
Classical choirs continue to reign in most congregations across Germany so students would be taught how to accompany them in a refreshing manner, to make them groovier, said Falk.
Not only does the pop academy plan on offering programs to bachelor students but it also hopes to integrate those that want to use music in their church or volunteer work.
“We want to give the opportunity to teachers in Evangelical kindergartens or community educators to grab a guitar and sing with the children. We will offer training that will be open to anyone who is interested,” said Bülow.
Existing music lessons would be integrated in the new academy. If Westphalia Church’s plans succeed, Christian communities would be witness to more high-quality contemporary music. However, that might not guarantee spiritual and comprehensible lyrics.
“We hope to attract people who have the skills to write Christian songs to gospel, rock, pop and jazz music,” said Bülow.
The pop academy is not offering a specific study program for songwriting as of yet; cooperation partners still need to be consulted for that. Yet Bülow believes that talented church musicians always find talented songwriters. Falk was also confident that they would find excellent songwriters for their educational program. He placed all of his hope in Germany’s emerging pool of talent.
Photo Credits: The Wafer
