The Award for Exemplary Leadership in Church Music was instituted in 2005 and is given to a graduate of Baylor University who has contributed uniquely and significantly to some aspect of the broad scope of church music ministry. The award can be given for cumulative lifetime achievement or a singular contribution.

This summer we are excited to present the Award for Exemplary Leadership in Church Music to:

Benjie Harlan

Benjamin Harlan holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theory and composition from Baylor University. He holds an advanced degree in church music and conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is, by his own admission, a church musician foremost who, along the way, served on the faculties of the seminaries in both New Orleans and Fort Worth. He currently serves as the Director of Music at University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Sacred choral music and vibrant congregational singing are the areas of his greatest interest. And, to those interests, he continues to explore new ideas that will aid the local church.

Read more about Benji by clicking here.

Past Recipients

Year of Award	Name	Baylor Alumni, Class of
2005	Wesley L. Forbis	1956
2006	Milburn Price	1963
2007	Buryl Red	1957
2008	Billy Ray Hearn	1954
2009	Hal H. Hopson	1954
2010	Mark Hayes	1975
2011	Joan Sutton	1951
2012	Sam Prestidge	1950
2013	O. D. Hall, Jr	1957
2014	Lloyd Hawthorne	1966
2015	Arnold Sherman	1966
2016	Nick Strimple	1969
2017	Robert Sterling	1977