By Allison Heldman
Worship arts major Dane Chiles, photo by Allison Heldman
Even though Dane Chiles is the only student in his major he tries to make the most of it.
There are many different ways to hear about a college. Maybe a family member went to that college. Even a family friend could have gotten you in touch with information on a college. For Dane Chiles, he had connections from a cousin and friends of his mothers. Bluffton is one of the few schools that offers worship arts, which is what led Chiles to visiting Bluffton.
“I chose Bluffton because of the community, the people, and the environment. I loved it all and most of all it felt like home” said Dane Chiles, freshman worship arts major.
Chiles got the idea of working and leading music and youth from his internship with his church. The internship helped Chiles learn that what he wants to do in the future is to work with youth ministry and lead a worship band.
“When I started, my worship arts adviser left last minute, and I was then connected to Dr. Couch. We were both very new at this, but we connect well, and I am glad to have him as my advisor,” said Chiles.
Chiles takes different types of classes because of what the Worship Arts Major requires. He takes music classes, art classes and even leadership classes. Chiles enjoys being around new people and also working with different people. So having people in his class who don’t share his major is intriguing to him. He takes classes with students with different majors because he’s the only one with his major. Chiles also enjoys bonding and connecting with the music students.
Dr. Roy Couch, the associate professor of music and the chair of the music department is Chiles’ advisor. Couch takes note of classes that aren’t offered as often to make sure that Chiles can take it at an appropriate time for graduation. He also studies to plan for the major to make sure Chiles takes all the classes required for the major. If for whatever reason Chiles can’t take a class Couch will make sure to come up a class to take the place of the one, he was not able to take.
Students in the worship arts major are required to take art classes such as Intro to Graphic Design, Religious Communication, Christian Worship, Play Production and many more. Students would also do both a music and religious practicum and music internship credit as part of the major. Couch works with Chiles to help guide him in what classes he should take for the path he wants to take.
Worship arts isn’t a major with a set department since it has multiple classes from other departments in the major. Because of this, the major doesn’t go along with The National Association of Schools of Music. This organization sets national standards for undergraduate degrees and other credentials for music-based concentrations. So, in order to make the major qualify for the organization the major had to be adjusted to fit the standards.
“Dane is a very good student, and he has a good personality for working with people or young people whichever way he chooses to go, and he will do really well,” said Couch.
The worship arts major isn’t worthless in the sense of Chiles not being able to get a job having the degree because it can certainly get him a job outside of college. Couch and other members of people who are in charge of majors decided that it just doesn’t fit the mold of a music major, so they refined it to better suit its music aspects.
“There are a lot of times that it’s hard being the only worship arts major, but I just continue to try my best, put in my best effort, and let God lead through my future,” said Chiles.
