The Everything DocumentE V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D T O K N O W A B O U T T H E W O R S H I P A R T S P R O G R A M

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Vision Statement...............................................................................................................................2Mission Statement.............................................................................................................................2Accreditation.....................................................................................................................................3Careers in Worship Arts.....................................................................................................................34 Year Overview................................................................................................................................4Course Descriptions..........................................................................................................................5-8 Worship Courses...........................................................................................................................5-6 Harmonic Practices.........................................................................................................................6 Musicianship.................................................................................................................................7 Media & Technology........................................................................................................................7 Ensembles...................................................................................................................................8 Applied Lessons............................................................................................................................8Worship Arts Scholarship...................................................................................................................9Worship Arts Scholarship Application..................................................................................................10-11Ensembles........................................................................................................................................12-13Ensemble Ministry Trips......................................................................................................................14Studio...............................................................................................................................................15-16 Facilities.......................................................................................................................................15 Equipment....................................................................................................................................16 Studio Assistant Position..................................................................................................................16

Contents

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Vision Statement

The Worship Arts program at Grace Bible College will transform students of diverse musical and media abilities into creative, multi-faceted artists who excel in creating Biblically grounded, thematically focused, multi-sensory worship experiences. It will prepare students to engage generations of people through professional training in music and media production, in addition to a strong foundation in Bible, theology, and general education.

Mission StatementThe Worship Arts program is designed to equip students to fulfill their call to serve God in leading others in authentic worship. As part of that goal, we must support this generation of worship leaders in speaking the language of today’s culture, a culture that is deeply rooted in music and contemporary media. The Worship Arts program will therefore provide exceptional learning opportunities within first-rate facilities using the most current music and media resources available. Furthermore, students will benefit from caring and dedicated faculty members who will provide life-on-life mentoring both inside and outside the classroom. Through meaningful evaluation and creative assessments of learning outcomes, students will advance competently to graduation. Upon graduation, students will be confidently prepared to serve as musicians and media personnel in a variety of ministry and employment positions.

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Grace Bible College’s Worship Arts degree offers a unique program that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. Blending music and media with a heart for ministry, it integrates all of the essential skills to help you prepare Biblically grounded, multi-sensory worship experiences. Expert instructors are committed to your success and stand ready to mentor and assist you as you grow in the following areas:

- Writing original worship songs- Arranging music for worship

teams- Audio recording and production- Video editing and production- Music theory and ear training

- Leading and rehearsing bands- Creating worship sets and media presentations

- Leading corporate worship- Theology and philosophy of worship

- Touring with a worship team- Private studio lessons in all styles of Guitar, Piano, Voice, Drums, and Strings

- Worship internships- And much, much more

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If you feel a passion to worship the Everlasting God, Grace Bible College (GBC) invites you to join our distinctive four-year Worship Arts program as we lead the next generation of authentic worshippers. Whether your calling is to hit the road with a band or to invest your musical gifts in a home church, GBC desires to help you achieve your goals. We offer professional media and music classes in a friendly, hands-on learning environment. With a small, personal campus, Grace Bible College makes it easy for students to plug in, build relationships, and pursue life-changing ministry opportunities. Our program exists not only to train excellent musicians and worship leaders, but seeks to raise up men and women of God with hearts passionate for pursuing Him every day and leading others along the way.

At an affordable price, Grace Bible College is one of the most unique Christian higher education experiences in the nation! Come and join our talented group of students and faculty who are devoted to worshipping the Everlasting God. Take a confident step forward and invest your gifts in a rewarding career in leading worship. We at GBC are prepared to partner with you in this life-long pursuit. Contact us at:

(616) 538-2330 http://www.gbcol.edu/academics/programs-of-study/worship-arts

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Grace Bible College is fully accredited with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and with the Association for Biblical Higher Education.

Careers in Worship ArtsToday’s local churches and parachurch organizations will find Grace Bible College Worship Arts graduates well prepared to meet their ever-changing needs through hundreds of career possibilities including:

- Worship Leader- Director of Worship Arts- Director of Worship Media and Technology

- Professional Touring Musician- Studio Recording Artist- Professional Singer/Songwriter- Minister of Music- Music and Worship Evangelist

- Worship Pastor- Private Lesson Instructor- Music and Worship Leader on the Mission Field

- Director of Worship and Drama- Director of Worship for Women’s Conferences- Teaching Pastor of Worship- Worship Support Personnel (in large churches)- Associate Director of Worship Programming

Accreditation

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4 Year Overview

Foundations of Worship (3)Biblically based understanding and definition of worship from Old and New Testament examples.

Leading Worship (3)Characteristics and responsibilities associated with being a proficient worship leader.

Songwriting for Worship (3)Hands-on opportunities to write and record original songs in the studio.

Junior Worship Program (1)20-minute worship program that involves all aspects of planning, rehearsing, leading, and implementing worship.

Senior Worship Program (1)40-minute worship program that involves all aspects of planning, rehearsing, leading, and implementing worship.

Worship Arts Practicum (3)Coordinate with a church to participate in a worship arts leadership capacity for one semester.

W O R S H I P A R T S

Foundations of Music (2)Introduction to a knowledge base and essential elements found within music.

Harmonic Practices I - III (9)Learn principles of music theory from fundamentals to advanced reharmonization techniques.

Musicianship I - II (4)Practical musicianship skills (ear training, sight singing, transcriptions, intonation, and rhythm).

Private Lesson Credits (8)Voice, piano, guitar, drums, strings.

M U S I C I A N S H I P

M E D I A & T E C H N O L O G Y

Music Technology (3)Produce professional music arrangements using multi-track sequencing and audio recording using Reason in the iMac Lab.

Audio Production (3)Learn skills of producing, editing, and mixing professional audio recordings in the studio using Pro Tools.

Video Production (3)Shooting professional videos, importing media, editing, and finalizing movies using Apple’s Final Cut Pro and Motion.

Old Testament Literature (3)New Testament Literature (3)Upper Division Bible Electives (6)Christian Life & Service (3)Mission of the Church (2)Biblical Christian Thought (3)Formation & Service I - II (4)Theology Elective (3)Biblical Instruction (3)

A R T S & S C I E N C E S

Grace Experience (2)English (6)Philosophy (3)Speech (3)Communication (2)Fitness & Health (2)Science (3)History (3)Psychology (3)Arts & Sciences Electives (6-9)Undesignated Electives (7)

T O T A L : 1 2 4 C R E D I T S

B I B L E & T H E O L O G Y

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CourseDescriptions

WA 111 Foundations of Worship (3)

This course provides a Biblically based understanding and definition of worship as exemplified through worship experiences in the Old and New Testaments. Purposefully scheduled as the initial course in the Worship Arts program, it seeks to lay a foundation for all other courses that build upon core worship principles.

WA 321 Leading Worship (3)

This course addresses the roles and responsibilities associated with being a proficient worship leader. It integrates learning in a variety of areas including ministry values, leading rehearsals, creative planning, leadership skills, team building, effective communication, stewardship of budgets, technology, etc. as they relate to the preparation and implementation of worship. Students will gain practical experience leading and teaching about worship in a collaborative environment.Prerequisite: WA 317

WA 322 Songwriting for Worship (3)

This course provides students with hands-on opportunities to write and record their own original songs using professional audio recording software. Emphasis is placed on the creation of theologically rich and doctrinally accurate worship songs appropriate for use in campus chapel services and in WA 350 Junior and WA 450 Senior Worship Programs. A review of standard song forms and significant Christian artists and their songwriting styles will be incorporated into this class.

WA 350 Junior Worship Program (1)WA 450 Senior Worship Program (1)

Students will lead a 20-minute or 40-minute worship program (20 minutes for WA 350, and 40 minutes for WA 450) that involves all aspects of planning, rehearsing, leading, and implementing worship. Students must demonstrate the ability to integrate a variety of instrumentation and media (i.e. lighting, sound, video, presentation software, etc). This is a faculty-supervised activity with a balance of both traditional and contemporary music styles appropriate for worship. A final reflective paper of the entire experience and a student-produced video of the event are components of this course.

W O R S H I P C O U R S E S

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WA 459 Worship Arts Practicum (3)

A faculty-supervised practicum, this is an essential capstone experience required of all Worship Arts students whereby students identify a local church, arrange his or her practicum with a church supervisor, and serve in a worship arts leadership capacity for one semester (documented 8 hours/week for 10 weeks = minimum of 80 hours of service). The practicum is designed to aid in developing ministry attitudes, roles and responsibilities, and leadership skills and experience vital to worship arts needs within a church.

The following four Harmonic Practices courses (WA 112, 113, 215, and 317) explore the essential music theory elements found in traditional and popular music, including contemporary worship music. The course sequence begins with WA 112 Foundations of Music that details pitch notation, time classification, note and rest values, time signatures, intervals, scales, key signatures, and triads. WA 113 revisits topics presented in WA 112 and builds upon this music theory foundation to include triads in root position, doubling and spacing, voice leading considerations, and triad inversions. WA 215 continues with seventh chords, phrase structure and cadences, nonharmonic tones, harmonization of melodies, nondominant seventh chords, secondary dominant and secondary leading tone chords, and modulation. In the final theory course, WA 317, students will explore popular music theory concepts including extended intervals, scales and modes, extended harmony, chord-scale relationships, diatonic and chromatic harmony, and harmonic substitution. These four courses will provide multiple learning opportunities for students to assimilate a working knowledge of harmonic practices within all tonal music.

WA 112 Foundations of Music (2)

Introduction to a knowledge base and essential elements found within tonal music.

WA 113 Harmonic Practices I (3)

Continuation of knowledge base and application of music theory skills developed in WA 112.Prerequisite: WA 112 or demonstrated music theory proficiency

WA 215 Harmonic Practices II (3)

Continuation of knowledge base and application of music theory skills developed in WA 113.Prerequisite: WA 113

WA 317 Harmonic Practices III (3)

Continuation of knowledge base and application of music theory skills developed in WA 215 with an emphasis on various forms of popular music including jazz, pop, contemporary worship, etc.Prerequisite: WA 215

H A R M O N I C P R A C T I C E S

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M U S I C I A N S H I P

Practical musicianship skills including ear training, critical listening, sight singing using the moveable “do” Solfege system in all major and minor keys, transcriptions, intonation, and rhythmic dictation. These courses are designed to be taken concurrently with corresponding Harmonic Practices courses (i.e. WA 113 & 114, WA 215 & 216). WA 114 introduces students to the moveable “do” Solfege system for pitch identification in tonal music. It also explores intonation, rhythmic dictation, melodic and harmonic intervals, scales, and critical listening. WA 216 builds on this foundation in the areas of sight singing, critical listening, rhythmic dictation, and melodic and harmonic dictation.

WA 114 Musicianship I (2)

Introduction to knowledge base and application of musicianship skills. To be taken concurrently with WA 113.Prerequisite: WA 112 or demonstrated musical proficiency

WA 216 Musicianship II (2)

Continued application and development of musicianship skills established in WA 114. To be taken concurrently with WA 215.Prerequisite: WA 114

WA 323 Music Technology (3)

Provides students with the technological tools and hands-on experience necessary for producing professional sample-based MIDI sequences and audio recordings. The course explores multi-track sequencing, editing, and mixing using Propellerhead’s Reason software program.Prerequisite: WA 215 and 216

WA 324 Audio Production (3)

Provides students with the technological tools and hands-on experience necessary for producing professional audio recordings. The course explores multi-track audio recording, editing, mixing, and file management skills using Avid’s Pro Tools software program.

WA 325 Video Production (3)

Provides students with the resources and hands-on experience necessary for producing professional videos. The course explores video camera basics, video recording, editing, and file management skills using Apple’s Final Cut Pro video editing software and Apple’s Motion software program.

M E D I A & T E C H N O L O G Y

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E N S E M B L E S

WA 182 Vocal Ensemble (1)

Group of vocalists that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.Audition required.

WA 183 Jazz Ensemble (1)

Small instrumental jazz combo group that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.Audition required.

WA 184 Worship Ensembles (1)

Group of vocalists, instrumentalists, and media personnel that prepares and leads worship for weekly campus chapel services, camps, youth retreats, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.Audition required.

WA 185 Instrumental Ensemble (1)

Group of instrumentalists that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.Audition required.

A P P L I E D L E S S O N S

Applied piano, voice, drums, strings, and guitar lessons are available with qualified instructors who model and teach proper technique and encourage overall competent musicianship. Students taking applied lessons will receive 12 individual half hour lessons each semester. As part of our department assessment plan, individual end-of-semester performances before the entire worship arts faculty are required for all students enrolled in applied lessons regardless of their major. There is an additional fee for applied lessons.

WA 105 Applied Piano Lessons (1)WA 106 Applied Voice Lessons (1)WA 109 Applied Drum Lessons (1)WA 110 Applied Guitar Lessons (1)WA 115 Applied String Lessons (1)

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Worship ArtsScholarship

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A Worship Arts scholarship of $4,800 or $6,400 is awarded to qualified musicians to help them pursue excellence in music! You’re eligible to apply today! Here’s how in three easy steps...

Award amount: $4,800 ($1,200 per year for student in a 4-year Worship Arts program = $600/semester) or $6,400 ($1,600/year for student in a 4-year Worship Arts program = $800/semester). The scholarship is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher within your Worship Arts courses. The college requires the recipient to be enrolled as a full-time student (12 or more credit hours per semester). Scholarships may only be applied to the GBC Worship Arts program. Immediate family members of staff, faculty, or administration are not eligible. The total amount of financial assistance offered to a student may not exceed his or her total need.

2C H O O S E T W O S E L E C T I O N S T O P E R F O R M

Prepare any two songs of your choice that best represent your abilities.

3S U B M I T A P P L I C A T I O N & S C H E D U L E A N A U D I T I O N

The 30-minute audition includes a brief interview and a musical assessment.

1See the attached Worship Arts Scholarship application (pages 10 & 11).

C O M P L E T E A S C H O L A R S H I P A P P L I C A T I O N

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ScholarshipApplication

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Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Email: Phone:

Name of High School:

Please list any musical opportunities or ensembles that you have participated in: (Ex. Bands, orchestras, choirs, musicals, significant performances, etc.)

Instruments / Voice (SATB):

Have you taken private lessons?

If yes, how many years?

Yes No

Please list your Worship Arts Audition selections:

1:

2:

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Please write a 500-word essay detailing your musical experience and your personal goals for during and after college.

Submit completed application to: jwerkema@gbcol.eduOr mail to: Worship Arts Scholarship, Attn: Jason Werkema, Grace Bible College, 1011 Aldon St. SW,

Wyoming, MI 49509

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Ensembles

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V O C A L E N S E M B L E

Ensembles are a chance for students to practice and apply their musical skills while cooperating in a group setting. Typically ensembles meet once or twice a week to practice music arrangements, with the goal of performing or leading worship at a few select events throughout the year. Some ensembles have the opportunity to travel and perform at different churches and events throughout the country.

The Worship Arts curriculum requires one ensemble credit per semester. Because each student is placed in an ensemble based on their preference, availability, and skill set, auditions are required for all ensemble groups. Auditions are typically held at the beginning of the fall semester, and students are placed in an ensemble for a full school year (two semesters). All students, even those with different majors, are welcome to audition and join an ensemble.

There are several ensembles, all with different sizes, unique styles, and special ministry opportunities. These include:

Group of vocalists that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.

This is our largest ensemble group with roughly 25-30 students, directed by vocal coach Phil Holmes. The Vocal Ensemble plays a large part in Gloria, the annual Worship Arts fundraiser around Christmas time. They also pack the stage for special Friday chapels. Emphasis is on vocal technique and SATB part singing, with opportunities for occasional solos.

J A Z Z E N S E M B L E

Small instrumental jazz combo group that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.

The jazz ensemble includes electric and bass guitars, drums, saxophones, trombones, etc. The group practices a repertoire of select jazz pieces and performs for Gloria and special banquets at Grace, as well as occasional off campus events. Led by Dr. Jason Werkema.

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W O R S H I P E N S E M B L E S

Group of vocalists, instrumentalists, and media personnel that prepares and leads worship for weekly campus chapel services, camps, youth retreats, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.

Worship ensembles, led by Mr. Adam Wolf, are more focused on leading contemporary worship services in a corporate setting. There are usually three worship ensembles, each with its own “flavor” and distinctive sound, ranging from 6 to 10 students with a unique assortment of guitars, vocals, keys, drums, and other instruments. Worship ensembles are frequently involved in Friday chapels, participate in Gloria, and have other opportunities to lead congregations, schools, and youth groups in worship.

I N S T R U M E N T A L E N S E M B L E

Group of instrumentalists that participates in chapel services, community engagements, and special campus events, etc. with potential for travel and ministry opportunities off campus. Open to all students.

Instrumental ensembles are unique in that they can change from year to year, based on the availability of musicians. Instrumental groups are sometimes a good fit for musicians who are skilled in one particular style or instrument. For example, in the 2014-2015 school year, the instrumental ensemble was a bluegrass group composed of violins, guitar, and upright bass. The possibilities are as diverse as the students and instruments that make up the group. Instrumental ensembles play at Gloria, GBC chapels, and other off campus events.

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EnsembleMinistry Trips

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Each year in May, an ensemble is chosen to go on a touring trip to different churches around the U.S. Trips are usually done within a specific region (e.g. the Pacific northwest, or the south), and students will stay with host families while ministering at a particular church.

The ensemble plans a full worship service before going, including a worship set, student testimonies, and a short 20-minute message given by a Pastoral student (who will join the ensemble for the trip!). This service is the basic outline for what the ensemble does at each church along the tour, with small tweaks and changes as the environment and needs of the congregation requires.

With lots of time driving, singing/playing music, and ministering to a diverse assortment of congregations, the ensemble ministry trips are a great way to build relationships with classmates, grow in your musical abilities, and encounter God through new experiences and new people.

P R E V I O U S I T I N E R A R Y S T U D E N T S S A Y. . .

“Our trip was amazing... I learned that grace is a never-ending trait of God. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. It was incredibly profound.”- Nick, class of 2015

“Ministry trips at GBC have helped me not only to be God’s hands and feet in ministering to others, but also to be ministered to by others, getting the chance to grow and have fun with fellow members of the Body of Christ.”- Ryan, class of 2014

“The opportunity to go on tour was part of what brought me to GBC, so the fact that I was able to go on this trip was a testament to God’s grace and purpose in my life...We still play together today, because we became like a family.”- Jessica, class of 2015

Day 1: Depart GBC, travel, stay in hotelDay 2: Travel, sightseeing, stay in hotelDay 3: Travel, Worship Service #1, stay with host familiesDay 4: Worship Services #2 and #3Day 5: Travel, R&R, stay with host familiesDay 6: Recreation, Worship Service #4, stay with host familiesDay 7: Travel, R&R, stay with host familiesDay 8: Service project, sight seeing, stay with host familiesDay 9: Free Day. Stay with host families.Day 10: Worship Service #5, stay with host familiesDay 11: Worship Service #6, travel, stay with host familiesDay 12: Worship Service #7, stay with host familiesDay 13: Travel, stay in hotelDay 14: Travel, Worship Service #8, stay with host familiesDay 15: Travel, Worship Service #9, stay in hotelDay 16: Depart for Grand Rapids

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Studio

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The Worship Arts studio has all the necessary equipment and software to produce professional level recordings. The best part? The studio is accessible to all current Worship Arts students for use on school-related and personal projects! Whether you want to have your band practice in the live room, create and edit MIDI sequences in Reason, or record your own song to share with family and friends, the studio is capable of doing it all. Every resource in the studio is available for your use, which means unlimited potential for you to express your creativity and heart for worship.

S T U D I O F A C I L I T I E S

Control RoomThe studio control room is where the computer/software, audio interface, MIDI keyboard, pre-amps, and recording equipment are stored. From the control room, you can “control” what goes on in the recording session - route signal flow, set up the interface, record and play back audio, control monitors, and mix or edit your project.

The studio has both ProTools and Reason software for recording and creating audio and MIDI within your project. An iMac and additional 70” flatscreen TV monitor make it easy to navigate your project, while professional studio speakers allow you to hear with clarity (and lots of volume!). An 8-foot double-paned window allows you to see into the live room without sound bleeding through.

Live RoomWith wall inputs connecting to the main interface in the control room, the live room can be used for recording a full band or a single instrument. The walls are lined with sound deadening panels, and it has its own sound system for plugging in instruments/microphones for the purpose of band practices and jam sessions.

Vocal RoomThe vocal room, like the live room, has wall inputs that connect to the interface in the control room. This small room is often used for recording vocals or piano, and has sound deadening panels to minimize the amount of “room noise” and natural reverb when recording.

Drum RoomThe drum room can be used for recording live drums, and is furthest from the control room for the least amount of sound “leakage.” Complete sound proofing and a tight set-up allow for clean, clear recordings and the best sound quality possible. Wall inputs go directly into the studio control room.

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S T U D I O E Q U I P M E N T

Software:- The latest version of Apple iOS- ProTools 11- Reason 6.5

Hardware:- Apollo Universal Audio Interface- Vintech Audio X73i Pre-amps- Grace Design M 101 Pre-amp- Focusrite OctoPre MK II Pre-amp- Hear Technologies Hear-back system- Yamaha 88 weighted-key MIDI controller- AVID 8-track mixing console- Yamaha HS-8 speakers and subwoofer

Microphones:- Rode NT 1-A- Multiple Avantone CK 1 mics- Avantone CR 14 ribbon mic- Avantone CV 12 mics- AKG C 414 (stereo pair)- AKG C 214 (stereo pair)- AKG Perception 420- AKG Perception 180- Multiple SM-57/58 microphones- Shure KSM 32

In addition to all these amazing resources, the studio has everything you need to get set up and started on your project - the studio supply closet is full of XLR cables, converters, direct boxes, headphones, microphone stands, pop filters, and much more.

Video Equipment:- 10 Panasonic HC - X920 full HD video cameras- SLIK tripods- XLR to 1/8in cables (for direct microphone input)- Final Cut ProX editing software

S T U D I O A S S I S T A N T

The Studio Assistant (a paid student position) assists with the upkeep and management of the studio equipment and calendar. The Studio Assistant’s role includes:

- Keeping the studio clean and organized- Helping students with recording projects as needed- Troubleshooting- Managing the Studio calendar- Open Hours for student usage and questions- Helping with videos for various WA courses

All Worship Arts students are given a brief orientation before using the studio, and are asked to sign an Equipment Usage Policy form.