Baylor Alumnus Honored for Achievements in Church Music

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WACO, Texas (July 22, 2016) — Nick Strimple, D.M.A., B.M. (composition) ’69, was awarded the Baylor University Center for Christian Music Studies Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music at Baylor’s annual Alleluia Conference.
A composer, conductor and expert in Holocaust music, Strimple is well-respected in the musical industry. He has appeared as a guest lecturer at Yale University, Oxford University, the University of Miami and Wellesley College, among others, is the music director of the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale and is a faculty member in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. He teaches classes on choral literature, sacred music and the music of the Holocaust: the pieces sung and played in the concentration camps and ghettos and those written afterwards. He has composed more than 130 pieces of music.
"Baylor University is a special place,” Strimple said. “I have always considered it an honor just to be a Baylor graduate, and when I look over the list of dignitaries who have previously received the Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music Award, I realize what a truly great honor this award is. I am deeply grateful to the Baylor Center for Christian Music Studies for having recognized me and my work in this way."
Strimple also has written two books, “Choral Music in the Twentieth Century” and “Choral Music in the Nineteenth Century,” and has written articles and reviews for a number of journals. In 2013, he was awarded a prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award by the Baylor Alumni Association, which honors Baylor graduates for significant achievement in their professions and vocations.
“Nick Strimple has made his mark on the music of the church,” said Randall Bradley, D.M.A., Ben H. Williams Professor of Music and director of Baylor’s church music program. “His tireless work to build bridges among faith communities and to utilize music to foster reconciliation has served to move these discussions to new levels. As a choral conductor, he has conducted in many of the world’s most important halls, and he has worked with top-level choirs and singers. His scholarly work with 19th- and 20th- century choral music has set the standard in the field.”
The Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music, presented by Monique Ingalls, Ph.D., assistant professor of music, is given annually to one Baylor graduate who has contributed significantly to church music ministry.
“Nick Strimple wears the hats of scholar, arranger, composer, conductor, teacher, church musician and global citizen,” Ingalls said. “This breadth is remarkable in and of itself; what’s more impressive is that he excels in all of these areas. We couldn’t be prouder of the way Dr. Strimple has used his many extraordinary gifts and talents to benefit the church and the world.”
Strimple, who was also a clinician at the Alleluia conference, spoke on Thursday about “Community in Worship: Using Music and Art to Establish Meaningful Interfaith Dialogue.”
The Alleluia Conference is a summer gathering that welcomes church musicians from across the country. Through a series of breakout sessions, worship times and discussions, the conferences focuses on leadership and training in areas of music ministry such as piano, music technology, youth choirs, praise teams and conducting.
The conference is held in the Glennis McCrary Music Building and the George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and this year’s award presentation took place in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.
To learn more about Strimple’s work, visit his website online. To learn more about the annual Alleluia Conference, the Baylor Alleluia Conference webpage
by Karyn Simpson, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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