Art and Design

Master of Church Music

The Master of Church Music at Kabarak University is a postgraduate programme offered through the School of Music and Media, specialising in church music within the broader Master of Music framework. The programme prepares music educators, worship leaders, and church music directors for teaching, leadership, managerial, and planning roles in the music sector with a focus on church music contexts.

The programme incorporates both theory and practice with relevant technology, equipping graduates to work as music educators in secondary schools and tertiary institutions, directors of music in churches and institutions, performers in the music industry, and researchers in music education. The church music specialisation addresses the growing demand for trained worship ministers and music directors in Kenyan churches.

Students engage with topics including music theory, composition, conducting, music technology, worship theology, liturgical music, and African church music traditions. The curriculum integrates practical performance skills with academic study, preparing graduates for the diverse musical and leadership demands of contemporary church ministry.

Admission requires a Bachelor of Music with Second Class Honours (Upper Division), or Second Class Honours (Lower Division) with two years of relevant research, professional, or teaching experience. Holders of a Bachelor of Education (Arts) with Music as a teaching subject at Upper Division level are also eligible, as are holders of a Bachelor of Arts with a Music minor at Upper Division with relevant experience and a portfolio.

The programme is offered at Kabarak University's main campus with both full-time and part-time options. Full-time tuition is KES 144,000 per semester, while part-time tuition is KES 65,000 per semester. Kabarak University's Christian foundation informs the programme's approach to church music education.

Graduates are prepared for roles as church music directors, worship ministers, music educators, choral conductors, and music researchers. The programme also provides a foundation for doctoral studies in music with church music specialisation.

Skills Required

Church music direction and leadership
Choral conducting
Music theory and analysis
Music composition and arrangement
Liturgical planning and worship design
Music technology for worship
African church music traditions
Music education and pedagogy
Music performance (vocal and instrumental)
Research methods in music education

Key Subjects

Church Music History and Tradition
Choral Conducting for Church
Music Theory and Analysis
Music Composition for Worship
Liturgical Music and Worship Theology
African Church Music
Music Technology in Worship
Music Education and Pedagogy
Music Performance
Research Methods in Music

Certifications

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Certification
Kenya Music Festival Association Membership
Music Forum of Kenya (MFK) Membership

Specializations

Church Music Direction

Focuses on the leadership and administrative aspects of church music programmes, including worship planning, choir management, and music ministry coordination.

Choral Conducting for Church

Develops advanced conducting skills specifically for church choirs and vocal ensembles, covering rehearsal techniques, choral arrangement, and performance leadership.

Music Composition for Worship

Equips students to compose and arrange music for worship contexts, including hymns, anthems, liturgical settings, and contemporary worship songs.

African Church Music

Studies African church music traditions, including indigenous worship forms, African hymnody, and the integration of African musical elements in contemporary church music.

Music Technology in Worship

Covers the use of music technology in church contexts, including sound engineering, music production, and digital tools for worship planning and performance.

Music Education in Church Contexts

Applies music education principles to church settings, preparing graduates to train church musicians, lead music programmes, and develop music curricula for churches.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 280,000
Private, up to: Ksh 432,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Church Music History and Tradition
Choral Conducting for Church
Music Theory and Analysis
Music Composition for Worship
Liturgical Music and Worship Theology
African Church Music
Music Technology in Worship
Music Education and Pedagogy
Music Performance
Research Methods in Music

Modules

12 in the programme

Church Music History and Tradition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Surveys the history of church music from early Christian chant to contemporary worship, examining key developments, figures, and traditions.
Advanced Music Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops advanced analytical skills in music theory, applying theoretical frameworks to church music repertoire and worship compositions.
Choral Conducting for Church
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops advanced conducting techniques for church choirs and vocal ensembles, covering rehearsal methods, score study, and performance leadership.
Liturgical Music and Worship Theology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the theological foundations of worship music, exploring liturgical traditions, worship planning, and the role of music in Christian worship.
Music Composition for Worship
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Equips students to compose and arrange music for worship, including hymns, anthems, liturgical settings, and contemporary worship songs.
African Church Music
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Studies African church music traditions, including indigenous worship forms, African hymnody, and the integration of African musical elements in church music.
Research Methods in Music
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Introduces research methodologies applicable to music education and church music studies, preparing students for thesis research.
Music Technology in Worship
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Covers the use of music technology in church contexts, including sound engineering, music production software, and digital tools for worship.
Music Education and Pedagogy
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Applies music education principles to church and school settings, covering teaching methods, curriculum development, and music pedagogy.
Music Performance (Vocal and Instrumental)
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Develops advanced performance skills in voice or instrument, with emphasis on church music repertoire and worship performance contexts.
Music Arrangement and Orchestration
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Teaches arrangement and orchestration techniques for church music ensembles, covering instrumental and vocal scoring for diverse church settings.
Research Thesis or Creative Project
Year 2Semester 46 creditsCore
An original research thesis or creative project in church music, demonstrating mastery of research methods or compositional skills with scholarly documentation.

Specialisations

Church Music Direction
Focuses on the leadership and administrative aspects of church music programmes, including worship planning, choir management, and music ministry coordination.
Choral Conducting for Church
Develops advanced conducting skills specifically for church choirs and vocal ensembles, covering rehearsal techniques, choral arrangement, and performance leadership.
Music Composition for Worship
Equips students to compose and arrange music for worship contexts, including hymns, anthems, liturgical settings, and contemporary worship songs.
African Church Music
Studies African church music traditions, including indigenous worship forms, African hymnody, and the integration of African musical elements in contemporary church music.
Music Technology in Worship
Covers the use of music technology in church contexts, including sound engineering, music production, and digital tools for worship planning and performance.
Music Education in Church Contexts
Applies music education principles to church settings, preparing graduates to train church musicians, lead music programmes, and develop music curricula for churches.

A day as a student

A typical day for a Master of Church Music student at Kabarak University combines morning lectures on music theory, church music history, or worship theology with afternoon practical sessions in conducting, composition, or performance. Students participate in choral ensembles, individual instrumental or vocal practice, and music technology labs. Seminar discussions explore liturgical planning and African church music traditions. Research and composition projects form a significant part of independent study, with students developing portfolios of original church music works and conducting research on music education in church contexts.

The trade offs

In its favour

There is growing demand for trained worship ministers and music directors in Kenyan churches, creating strong career prospects for graduates.
The programme offers both full-time and part-time options, accommodating working music ministers and educators.
Kabarak University's Christian foundation provides a natural environment for church music study with access to chapel music programmes and worship communities.

Against it

Full-time tuition at KES 432,000 per year is relatively expensive compared to public university music programmes.
The programme is currently offered only at Kabarak University, limiting institutional choice for prospective students.
Church music roles often offer modest salaries compared to secular music industry positions requiring similar training.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public216k to 280k

216k at Kenyatta University280k at Technical University of Kenya

Private195k to 432k

195k at Kabarak University (Part-time)432k at Kabarak University (Full-time)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 216K, TUK 280K/yr verified. Kabarak PT 195K, FT 432K/yr verified kabarak.ac.ke

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Kabarak University internal financial aid, and church sponsorship for worship ministers pursuing formal training.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Kabarak University Financial Aid
Church Sponsorship for Worship Ministers

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Kabarak University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
Students demonstrating financial need and academic merit at Kabarak University, subject to availability.
Church Sponsorship for Worship Ministers
ScholarshipKsh 432,000
Worship ministers and music directors sponsored by their churches for formal music training at Kabarak University.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Second Class Honours (Lower Division) with two years of relevant research, professional, or teaching experience. Holders of a Bachelor of Arts with Music minor at Upper Division with relevant experience and a portfolio of compositions may also be considered.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework Assignments
Coursework25% of the mark
Composition portfolios, arrangement projects, analytical essays, and music education assignments submitted for each course unit.
Performance Examinations
Practical25% of the mark
Practical examinations in conducting, vocal or instrumental performance, demonstrating technical proficiency and musical interpretation.
End-of-Course Written Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Written examinations testing mastery of music theory, church music history, worship theology, and research methods.
Research Thesis or Creative Project
Project25% of the mark
An original research thesis or creative project with scholarly documentation, demonstrating mastery of church music research or composition.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kabarak University is a CUE-chartered private university in Kenya, and the Master of Music with Church Music specialisation meets CUE standards for postgraduate academic programmes.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. Kabarak University is a CUE-chartered private university.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
Professional certification
International music examination board providing graded certifications widely recognised in Kenya and globally, supporting professional development for church musicians.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Church Music Director
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Leads church music programmes, overseeing choirs, worship planning, music staff, and the overall musical life of a congregation.
Worship Minister
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 130,000
Plans and leads worship services, coordinates worship teams, and develops music programmes for church services and events.
Music Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Teaches music in secondary schools or tertiary institutions, applying church music training to educational settings.
Choral Conductor
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Directs church, school, or community choirs, conducting rehearsals and performances across various choral traditions.
Music Composer and Arranger
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 130,000
Composes and arranges music for worship, publishing, or performance, creating original works for church and choral contexts.
Music Education Researcher
Low demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Conducts research in music education and church music, contributing to scholarly understanding and curriculum development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as church music directors, worship ministers, music educators, choral conductors, and music researchers in churches, schools, and cultural institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Sibelius
SoftwarePrimary
Music notation software for composing, arranging, and scoring church music for choirs, ensembles, and instrumental groups.
Logic Pro
Software
Digital audio workstation for music production, recording, and sound engineering in church music contexts.
Finale
Software
Professional music notation software for creating sheet music, hymnals, and choral arrangements for church use.
Planning Center
Software
Church management platform for worship service planning, music scheduling, team coordination, and service flow design.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources and producing academic citations in music research.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Church music is just about singing in church.
The programme covers music theory, composition, conducting, technology, liturgical planning, worship theology, and African church music traditions, preparing graduates for comprehensive music leadership.
A master's degree in church music is unnecessary for worship ministry.
Kenya's growing church music job market demands trained worship ministers with both musical competence and leadership skills, as identified by research on church music curricula in Kenya.
Church music programmes do not incorporate modern music technology.
The programme incorporates relevant technology, including music production, sound engineering, and digital tools for worship, reflecting contemporary church music practice.
Church music degrees only lead to church-based employment.
Graduates work as music educators in schools and tertiary institutions, performers in the music industry, choral conductors, and music researchers alongside church music roles.
African church music traditions are not covered in formal music education.
The programme includes study of African church music, recognising the rich musical heritage of African Christianity and its contemporary expressions.