European-American University™

This is a first diploma in church music commensurate with the standard expected of a student after one year's full time postsecondary study. The diploma is suitable for organists, singers, choral conductors and composers, as well as candidates who combine two or more of these roles. There are three requirements: a portfolio of church music performance or composition recorded onto CD or DVD, a peer assessment by two musicians approved by the University, and an extended essay of between 5,000 and 5,500 words on a subject relevant to Church Music approved by the University.

Portfolio of church music performance or composition
This will be submitted in permanent format on CD or DVD and will show a fully representative selection of the candidate's work in Church Music. A single long work is unsuitable as a sole submission; candidates should instead try to show variety and range. Any style of music written for Christian usage is acceptable; this includes the more popular worship song style and Christian popular music intended for performance during or as an accompaniment to an act of worship.

Compositions
Every submitted composition must be accompanied by a score containing musical notation. Compositions must be notated in a manner that would permit their performance by a third party. Guitar tab notation is acceptable if accompanied by detailed dynamic and articulation indications. Pieces that are purely improvised should be referred for guidance before submission. Candidates will be expected to show a secure familiarity with harmony, melody, form and rhythm in their chosen style.

Peer assessment
The candidate will submit the names, qualifications/experience and contact details of two musicians whom he or she has approached and who have indicated their willingness to act as assessors to the University. The candidate is solely responsible for paying to these assessors any fee that they may demand for their work. The University will consider these submissions and approve the assessors or not as the case may be, and may also request further information or contact the proposed assessors directly. Assessors may not be family members of the candidate. The University does not provide assessors from within its faculty.

The assessors will make a written assessment of the candidate over a period of time of not less than six months, which may include work undertaken before enrolment, reflecting the standard and scope of involvement in Church Music and offering a critical perspective on the level of this work. The University may request clarification on any point raised.

Extended essay
The candidate will propose a subject relevant to Church Music to be approved by the University, and will prepare an extended essay on it of between 5,000 and 5,500 words.

Tuition fees
The tuition fees for this program are $1,000, which includes mentoring and assessment but excludes books. There is an annual continuation fee of $500 which is payable on the anniversary of matriculation.

How to apply
>>Application