Baylor University’s Alleluia Conference and Exemplary Leadership in Church Music Award Will Commence July 22

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Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321
WACO, Texas (July 14, 2014) — Baylor University’s annual Alleluia Conference, which offers training for musicians who serve the church and provides free nightly concerts for the public, will take place from July 22-25.
The Alleluia Conference was created to inspire and refresh music ministers concerning the work they do in the church. Opportunities to refine skills, fellowship with other musicians and enjoy a retreat from the workplace are offered throughout the four-day conference.
This year, the Salt and Light Youth Choir of St. Andrew United Methodist Church from Plano and the Adult Choir of Tallowood Baptist Church from Houston will be performing each night of the conference for anyone who wants to attend.
In addition to the workshops offered, there will be a time of reflection to honor a Baylor graduate for the time and work he has contributed to church music in his career at the university and beyond.
Loyd Hawthorne, D.M.A., MM ’66, a significant contributor to Baylor University’s church music history, will be the 10th recipient of the Exemplary Leadership in Church Music Award.
Hawthorne’s resume includes accomplishments such as forming the Texas Baptist All-State Youth Choir-West, being called from retirement to serve as the Interim Director of Choral Activities at Baylor and teaching choir in various schools for a total of 41 years.
“Loyd Hawthorne has distinguished himself as a choral conductor, teacher, and church musician,” said David Music, D.M.A., professor of music in the School of Music. “His many years of commitment to his students, to the art of music and to the cause of Christ make us proud to recognize him as a Baylor graduate who has shown exemplary leadership in church music.”
Hawthorne’s appreciation for high-school and college students was shown in his dedication to their musical development. He has worked with universities, public schools and churches in Texas, Mississippi, New Mexico, California, Washington, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Randall Bradley, D.M.A., Ben H. Williams Professor of Music and director of Church Music Program in the School of Music, commended Hawthorne on the work he did for his students’ benefit.
“Anyone who sang in a choir with ‘Doc’ loves him and speaks of the transformational experience that participating with him in music making had on them,” Bradley said. “While his work with college students at Hardin Simmons was where he spent the bulk of his energy, the work that he did for decades in the summer with the Baptist All-State Choirs shaped and molded the lives of thousands of high school students.”
The cost of the conference is $340 for the full conference, and $125 per day. Registration information and a schedule of the conference can be found online on the conference’s website .
by Rebecca Flannery, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 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 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. Our 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, the 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. The School of Music of Baylor University is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs leading to the bachelor of music education degree conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency.