Philosophy Statement
At Agape Christi Academy, music is not an elective. The Lord commands that his people worship through song out of love for Himself (Psalm 66:1-2, Psalm 68:4) and love for others (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19). It is therefore imperative for Christian students to learn to sing, particularly the Psalms. The Bible tells of several men and women who were not musicians by profession and yet composed music unto the Lord: Deborah, Miriam, Moses, Hannah, Mary, and Paul. It is our goal then for all students to learn how to sing and compose with joy and skill for the glory of God and cultural transformation.
Six Biblical Reasons for Musically Literate Christians
- The Lord commands that his people worship through song.
- Psalm 66:1-2 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
- Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!
- To encourage a culture of skilled praise in worship of the Triune God.
- Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
- To love one another through song.
- Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- Ephesians 5:19 Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord
- To model the lives of biblical men and women who were not professional musicians and yet composed music to the Lord.
- Deborah (Judges 5), Miriam (Exodus 15:21), Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Mary (Luke 1:46), Paul (Phil 2), Moses (Deuteronomy 31:22)
- To be able to sing in harmonized parts with one another in the assembly of the saints, symbolizing the harmony (diversity with unity) we share with one another.
- Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another.
- To fight the good fight of faith through worship.
- 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
In summary, music is an essential part of worshiping the Triune God and right worship is an essential part of cultural transformation. Therefore, music is essential to cultural transformation.
Pedagogical Philosophy
Following the teaching philosophy of Kodaly, lower school students learn how to sing and read music through solmization (do, re, me, etc.), rhythm-duration syllables (counting rhythms by chanting), and the Curwen hand signs. Upper school students focus on musical analysis, composition, and performance. Students in all grades are introduced to the great composers of music and follow the course of music throughout history.
“When a people develops its own hymns with both vernacular words and music,
it is good evidence that Christianity has truly taken root”
Chenoweth, V. & Bee, D.