Just across the street from Texas Tech University, St. John’s UMC in Lubbock has found a meaningful way to connect campus and congregation through music.
For decades, St. John’s has maintained a special relationship with the Texas Tech School of Music, offering scholarships to around a dozen student singers each academic year. In return, the students lend their voices and talents to the church’s Chancel Choir and worship life.
Known as choral scholars, many of the students remain with the program throughout their college years. Their scholarships are funded entirely through the generosity of the St. John’s congregation.
But the program asks for more than a beautiful singing voice. Choral scholars make a significant commitment to the life of the church. They attend Wednesday rehearsals, sing in Sunday worship and prepare special music for Communion Sundays. Typically, a scholar also offers a solo Act of Praise each week.
And each Easter, the students are an important part of St. John’s sunrise service, an assignment that requires a bit of extra dedication from college students accustomed to considerably later mornings.
Their contributions extend beyond individual performances. By singing alongside members of the congregation week after week, the scholars become part of a shared ministry of worship and music.
The impact continues after graduation.
Former choral scholars have gone on to perform on Broadway, teach music, lead church choirs and pursue other musical careers. One former scholar has performed for many years with the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters Chorus.
For St. John’s, the program represents an investment not only in talented young musicians but also in relationships between the church and its university neighbors. The students bring their gifts to worship, and members of the congregation make it possible for them to continue developing those gifts.
Together, they create something neither could offer quite the same way alone: a community shaped by music, commitment and the joy of sharing their gifts.
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- St. John’s choral scholars are an integral part of the Advent season, contributing their voices to the annual Lessons & Carols service.
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- Easter service with scholars joined by a few congregation members.
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- United Women in Faith, joined by clergy and choir leadership, host a monthly dinner for the choral scholars.
Leslie Cranford, of St. John’s UMC, contributed to this story.