The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), a consortium of five predominately African-American denominational Christian seminaries in Atlanta, Georgia, has announced that it will reintroduce its master of arts in church music as the master of arts in liturgical arts and culture degree (MALC) starting in the fall 2019 semester.
The MALC degree focuses on the intersections of worship, arts, and culture in an ever-evolving world. The new program prepares students to serve as worship or artistic leaders in a variety of professional contexts across a board spectrum of liturgical arts, including instrumental, vocal, and choral music; liturgical and West African dance; hip hop studies; and visual media and design.
Unlike other program offerings at ITC, the MALC degree focuses on liturgical arts in relation to culture and broadens the already existing emphases on church music. The degree draws expertise from faculty and the artist-in-residence, Gilbert Young, to provide a teaching-learning experience that equips students for engagement in liturgics in the church, academy, and the community at-large.
“I am extremely excited about our revised degree program, particularly because we’ve broadened it to include all liturgical arts and expanded its emphasis to include the impact and influence of culture on liturgy,” stated Dr. Lisa M. Allen-McLaurin, degree coordinator and Helmar Nielsen Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship. “This will draw students who are not only artists and practitioners, but those whose focus is research on the effects of culture on liturgical history and development.”
