Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies Celebrates 21st Annual Conference with Highlight Performances and Guest Appearances
WACO, Texas (August 30, 2023)
In July, the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies hosted the 21st annual Alleluia Conference at Baylor. Bringing together church musicians from around the country, Alleluia boasted more than eighty breakout sessions, fifteen hours of choral and instrumental reading sessions, daily worship gatherings, evening concerts, and more. This past summer saw the largest participation numbers in event history as well as several once in a lifetime opportunities for both Baylor and conference guests.
On Thursday, July 20th, the Dunn CCMS awarded Baylor alum David Phelps with the award for “Exemplary Leadership in Church Music” and David presented an evening concert on Friday, July 21st in Jones Concert Hall to a sold-out crowd. A graduate from Baylor University, David Phelps is credited among today’s most spectacular voices. His seemingly endless vocal range, which extends more than three octaves, coupled with his gift for communicating a song, has brought the house down in the world’s most prestigious venues. For nearly 20 years, David served as a member of the popular and prestigious Gaither Vocal Band, and during that time received numerous Dove Awards, two Grammy Awards, and multiple platinum-selling recording projects.
Other significant highlights from Alleluia include the 50th anniversary performance of Bill and Gloria Gaither’s work, “Alleluia: A Praise Gathering for Believers.” This performance brought together a one hundred voice choir and orchestra from the Central Texas Choral Society, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, and Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio. In addition to this special moment, the conference hosted a plenary with guest Bill Gaither. This conversation shined a spotlight on the life and legacy of Bill and Gloria’s contributions to the music of the church.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT THE BAYLOR SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Celebrating more than 100 years of musical excellence, the Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. Students thrive in a Christian environment characterized by a nurturing resident faculty, an unwavering pursuit of musical excellence, a global perspective, dedication to service and devotion to faith. They investigate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the past, develop superior musical skills and knowledge in the present, and explore and create new modes of musical expression for the future. While preparing for future leadership roles, students join with School of Music faculty in enhancing the quality of community life, enriching the larger culture and making Baylor a place in which heart, mind and soul coalesce. Baylor’s School of Music is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in performance, music education and academic majors, as well as doctoral degrees in church music. Degrees leading to the Bachelor of Music Education conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency. Visit the School of Music website to learn more.