Professor of Music and Worship Arts in the Department of Music
Education
- D.W.S. from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies
- Master’s in Choral Music from University of Saskatchewan
- B.A. in Music from Spring Arbor University
Brian Walrath is an associate professor of music and worship arts at Spring Arbor University. As lead professor in the worship arts program, he teaches courses in music, music ministry and worship studies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Spring Arbor University, a master’s in choral music from University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and a doctorate in worship studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Fla.
In addition to his university duties, he speaks and consults on worship and church music at denominational conferences and has served on local and national Free Methodist worship planning committees. His master’s research topic was: “An Evaluation of the gospel Song selection process in the 1971 Hymnal of the Anglican and United Churches of Canada.” His doctoral dissertation, ”Exploring the Correlation between Authentic Worship and Health in Selected Congregations of the Free Methodist Church” led to the publication of articles in Light and Life magazine and The Wesleyan Theological Journal.
Prior to his arrival at Spring Arbor University, Dr. Walrath spent 17 years in music and discipleship ministry with Youth for Christ-Canada, joining their staff after four years in the public education system as a high school band and choir director.
His hobbies are computer geeking and distance running. When he’s not teaching or coaching music teams, he and his wife Betty can usually be found traveling to be with their adult daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.
You can contact Brian Walrath through e-mail at bwalrath@arbor.edu or by phone at 517.750.6494.