2017: Singing the Sermon: When the Message and Music Matter

The Pruit Memorial Symposium at Baylor University brings the perspectives of the Christian intellectual tradition on contemporary issues of common concern. Through the articulation of differing views within the realm of Christian understanding, Baylor aspires to be a locus for a distinctly Protestant and Christian world view that is true to the best thoughts in the Baptist tradition.

The 2017 Pruit Symposium returns to the theme of black gospel music with "Singing the Sermon: When the Message and Music Matter," featuring two keynote presentations:

“From Spirituals to Blood Songs: Remembering Tradition and Deliverance through Gospel Performance"

Melvin Butler, Associate Professor of Musicology at University of Miami

Thursday, October 5 | 11:15 a.m. 

"A Theology of African American Sacred Song and Liberation"

Stephen Newby, Associate Professor of Music at Seattle Pacific University

Friday, October 6 | 12:30 p.m.

Additional presenters include Deborah Smith Pollard, Terri Brinegar, Coretta Pittman, Jerry Zolten, and Laura Nash with Andrew Virdin. Click here for a complete schedule of events and presentations.

A note about registration:

All sessions are free and open to the public. However, luncheons require registration.
Baylor faculty, staff, and students can attend luncheons at a reduced price.

The 2017 Pruit Symposium is sponsored by Armstrong Browning Library; Truett Theological Seminary; Baylor University Libraries; Baylor School of Music; the Department of Journalism, Public Relations & New Media; American Studies; the Department of History; the Department of English; the Department of Religion; the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching; the Center for Christian Music Studies; and the Baylor University Diversity Enhancement Grant.