Campus Spotlight: Dr. Chris Headley

Dr. Chris Headley
Chair of C-N’s Music Department

Education:
MA in Worship Studies from Liberty University
MM in Choral Conducting from Messiah University
Doctorate from Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies

Where are you from?

I was born at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and almost immediately moved to my family’s hometown of Wellston, Ohio. However, I have now lived in East Tennessee, longer than any other place in my life.

What are your earliest memories of being interested in music?

I had a number of extraordinary music teachers throughout school, but my earliest memory of realizing how much I loved music was in the third grade. Mrs. Fain decided we would try a full production musical, “Cabbage Patch Kids.” I was the lead character, Colonel Casey, and I can still sing every word of my big solo. Silly, but it captured my imagination and started my desire to become a musician. Mrs. Fain, who was also our church’s organist, became my piano teacher and later taught me organ and how to direct a choir.

What led you to want to study music?

Wellston, Ohio, is a very rural, Appalachian town. The only musicians I knew were the famous ones on the radio and schoolteachers. Until I went to college, I had no idea that there was anything else I could do in music. When I sensed the Lord calling me to full-time vocational ministry, I thought that meant being a senior pastor. Fortunately, while in college in Richmond, Virginia, I attended a large church with many great pastors who mentored me and gave me the opportunity to work with students as well as in the music and worship ministry. It was in those mentoring relationships that I began to see the possibility of music in the form of worship leadership becoming God’s call for me.  

What excites you most about your new role as chair of C-N’s Music Department?

I identify so closely with Carson-Newman’s mission statement. When we say that our mission is to “help our students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders,” I hear the words “mentor” and “disciple.” It excites me to consider how this world will be changed by the students who we train, mentor, and disciple, right here – the music educators who will work with and inspire their students, the performers who will sing and play to the glory of God, and the worship leaders and church musicians who will serve their churches as musicians have for millennia.  

As you look at the future, what is your hope for Carson-Newman students choosing to study music at Mossy Creek, and how is studying music different at Carson-Newman?

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to develop a statement for our music department syllabi. I want our students to be the finest in their respective fields, and I want them to understand the power of music as it was designed by God for His glory.

“As Christians, we recognize that our God has been creative from the very beginning of human existence. The heavens declare His glory and the skies proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). He announced the birth of His son with singing (Luke 1:46-55), an angelic proclamation (Luke 2:8-12), and a spectacular display of light (Luke 2:13-14; Matthew 2:9). In salvation, He described His love for us with the metaphors of sacrifice, giving His son to be led like a Lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53). When He established a way for us to remember the essentials of the Gospel, He created the symbols of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; Mark 14:22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25) and Baptism (Colossians 2:12-14). For His own praise, He created mankind and gave to us the arts to use for His glory (Isaiah 43:21; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 4:11).

Though we acknowledge that artists may create mediums with a decidedly non-Christian or even anti-Christian ethos, God’s original design for music, whether secular or sacred, is for His glory. As a Christian University, Carson-Newman invites us to investigate these intersections of our faith with the academic study of music. Our education is not designed as merely an academic pursuit, but an opportunity to consider the deeper questions of life, to develop a Christian worldview, and to pursue with excellence both our faith and our field of study (adapted from Advancing Carson-Newman’s Christian Mission).”

You’re taking a road trip. What artists are featured in your playlist?

Some might be surprised to hear this, but at least in the car, I prefer either silence or media such as sports radio, news, or standup comedy.

In thinking about different artists, is there a particular artist or group you would admit listening to as a guilty pleasure?

I’m showing my age, but I still love the music of my childhood and teenage years. 80s and 90s music are my go-to. I also love listening to musical theater.

When you’re not working, what are some things you enjoy doing, whether by yourself or with family?

I love all water sports – water skiing, swimming. My favorite relaxing activity is a long drive on a winding road. With my family, I love going out for ice cream. It provides one of those rare opportunities for uninterrupted time together.  We also enjoy going to the movies and spending days together at Dollywood or Splash Country.

Karaoke: A passive watcher, or a mic grabber?

I’ve grabbed a few karaoke mics in my time.

Favorite food/dish for dinner?

Pad Thai

Favorite place you’ve visited?

Chelyabinsk, Russia

The last movie you watched in a theater? From 1 to 5, how would you rate it?

Inside Out 2. It’s a solid 4 pushing toward a 5.

You have a week of vacation. Do you go to the mountains, or head to the beach?

This should be an easy answer. I prefer the mountains, but every other member of my family prefers the beach, at least for vacation. As a result, I’ve learned to love the beach simply to be with them.

What’s something that no one at Carson-Newman knows about you?

But if I tell you, then you will know. I was once my wife’s legal guardian. We were married relatively young – I was only 21, she was 20. We didn’t know that when you get on a cruise ship that you must be 21 years old or have a legal guardian agree to be responsible for you while on the ship. I love that story. My wife…not so much.

Why do you teach at Carson-Newman?

My friend and former music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Dr. Paul Clark, encouraged me to get my doctorate. He believed in me and felt I would love the process. While I was working on my doctorate, several of the faculty here at C-N invited me to lecture in their classes. As I observed this amazing music faculty work with students and then had my own experiences here as an adjunct professor, all the while being encouraged by my own mentors – so many people invested in me that the thought of returning that investment to future musicians became my dream. I’m grateful to God for the opportunity.