Durham University: PhD (formerly Year 1)
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"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the [physical] life." -- Ludwig van Beethoven
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Dear Family, Friends, Acquaintances, and Good Samaritans,
Allow me a brief moment to introduce/re-introduce myself!
My name is Ryan Mackey. I currently work as a college music educator in McPherson, Kansas, USA. Additionally, I serve as a bishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Most importantly, I am the husband of Allison! We want to tell you part of my/our story and why you have been invited to visit this page:
For several years, I have felt called to pursue a doctoral degree. Time after time, I researched different options and degree programs in a variety of countries. While many of them looked and sounded amazing, either the timing wasn't right or the program didn't fit me and/or my research interests, which are primarily electronically composed music and theology.
However, that all changed in February 2017, when Allison and I traveled to York, England, so I could present at the Church Music & Worship Conference. While there, we met Dr. Bennett Zon, professor of music and theology from Durham University and a highly respected and sought-after author and presenter. After a couple of lengthy conversations, I was intrigued by Durham University's Music Department and their emphasis on both theology and music - namely, electroacoustic music (Durham University's Music Department is currently the #1 ranked music department in the United Kingdom for two years running !). Dr. Zon knew I was interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in musicology and theology; he felt I would be a good fit at Durham University and recommended I apply.
(Ryan presenting at the 2017 Church Music & Worship Conference at the University of York, York, England.)
After prayer and consulting our elders I applied for full-time, residential doctoral studies at Durham University, as well as for a Durham Doctoral Studentship (a full tuition grant with a small stipend for international students).
(Durham Cathedral [left] and the Music Department building [far right])
In early spring of 2018, I found out I had been accepted by Durham University, to work on a PhD in Music and Theology! We were thrilled!
(Ryan presenting at the 2018 Church Music & Worship Conference, Durham University, Durham, England)
A couple months later I found out that, although I was a finalist, I did not receive the Durham Doctoral Studentship. I felt crushed. All that time, effort, prayer... seemingly dashed to pieces in one email.
However, I could not escape this call I sensed to attend Durham University full-time. I addressed that call again with family, friends, and elders, and they still felt this was the place for Allison and me to go. Not only that, two people, independent of each other, suggested I try fundraising, not unlike a missionary, to gather the necessary funds. I thought this was both a brilliant and intimidating idea; brilliant because it was an answer to prayer, intimidating because it seemed like a tall order. Then I was reminded, in no uncertain terms, all things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23). So, here I am coming to you, asking for support to make this calling a reality.
At this point you may be thinking:
1) "This sounds great, Ryan, however, aren't there scholarships and other options you can apply for?" The answer is yes, and I am in the process of filling out a number of application forms. The caveat to that is the winners of those scholarships and awards are not announced until Jan.-Mar. 2019 for the next academic year. That means we would miss out on several months of talking with people, sharing our vision for this mission, and raising funds.
2) "Can't you get a job in England?" Again, the answer is yes. The issue is that British labour laws for international students (and their spouses and/or dependents) are pretty strict. We each can only work up to 20 hours per week; even then, there is a possibility we might be working minimum wage jobs. While that can/will cover some of our expenses, it won't cover everything.
For those of you interested in an annual cost analysis, it goes a little something like this (annual estimated expenses in USD, based on current exchange rates, rounded up as needed):
-Tuition = $24,000 (must be in place between 60-90 days before the start of classes; approx. June 1)
-Rent = $8,000
-Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage, Phones, Internet) = $3,500
-Bus Passes (we won't have a car) = $1,500
-Visas = $1,000
-Immigration Healthcare Surcharge = $2,000
TOTAL (before tithe, food, books and educational needs, furlough travel, incidentals, coffee, any taxes) = $40,000
After you add in tithe, food, books and educational needs, furlough travel, incidentals, coffee, any taxes, plus anything I may have missed, the total could be closer to $55,000. This total is for one year. My whole program of study will take four consecutive years (similar to an integrated PhD), meaning the grand total will be closer to $220,000.
When I heard big numbers like that in the past, I felt overwhelmed: "How could we manage such a large number? That sounds like a chunk of money to me!" Then, I was reminded of the old adage, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
With that thought in mind, here’s a look at the numbers and how we can tackle Year 1 together:
● If 100 people invest $10/month = $12,000
● If 200 people invest $20/month = $48,000
● If 300 people invest $20/month = $72,000
This degree program will support not only my desire to learn more about congregational worship music of the past 50 years but also how the decisions we make about that music shapes us and our views of God. While there are several perfectly good universities that I could attend stateside, Durham University is the only one I have found that will allow me to pursue a PhD in music focusing on the intersection of music, technology, and Christian congregational worship from a theological point-of-view, without having to be an organist, choral conductor, or primarily a composer. Through my studies I hope to facilitate opportunities for learning and dialogue between Christians of different denominations, allowing them to learn more about their fellow Christians, thereby breaking down some of the barriers of division that have separated members of the Body of Christ, especially in the past 50 years.
Allison and I ask that you partner with us through prayer and humbly request that you consider financially supporting our "Durham University: Year 1" fund (and Years 2, 3, and 4, for that matter!). Thank you for your time and attention.
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Grace and peace,
Ryan and Allison Mackey
+
Dear Family, Friends, Acquaintances, and Good Samaritans,
Allow me a brief moment to introduce/re-introduce myself!
My name is Ryan Mackey. I currently work as a college music educator in McPherson, Kansas, USA. Additionally, I serve as a bishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Most importantly, I am the husband of Allison! We want to tell you part of my/our story and why you have been invited to visit this page:
For several years, I have felt called to pursue a doctoral degree. Time after time, I researched different options and degree programs in a variety of countries. While many of them looked and sounded amazing, either the timing wasn't right or the program didn't fit me and/or my research interests, which are primarily electronically composed music and theology.
However, that all changed in February 2017, when Allison and I traveled to York, England, so I could present at the Church Music & Worship Conference. While there, we met Dr. Bennett Zon, professor of music and theology from Durham University and a highly respected and sought-after author and presenter. After a couple of lengthy conversations, I was intrigued by Durham University's Music Department and their emphasis on both theology and music - namely, electroacoustic music (Durham University's Music Department is currently the #1 ranked music department in the United Kingdom for two years running !). Dr. Zon knew I was interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in musicology and theology; he felt I would be a good fit at Durham University and recommended I apply.
(Ryan presenting at the 2017 Church Music & Worship Conference at the University of York, York, England.)After prayer and consulting our elders I applied for full-time, residential doctoral studies at Durham University, as well as for a Durham Doctoral Studentship (a full tuition grant with a small stipend for international students).
(Durham Cathedral [left] and the Music Department building [far right])In early spring of 2018, I found out I had been accepted by Durham University, to work on a PhD in Music and Theology! We were thrilled!
(Ryan presenting at the 2018 Church Music & Worship Conference, Durham University, Durham, England)A couple months later I found out that, although I was a finalist, I did not receive the Durham Doctoral Studentship. I felt crushed. All that time, effort, prayer... seemingly dashed to pieces in one email.
However, I could not escape this call I sensed to attend Durham University full-time. I addressed that call again with family, friends, and elders, and they still felt this was the place for Allison and me to go. Not only that, two people, independent of each other, suggested I try fundraising, not unlike a missionary, to gather the necessary funds. I thought this was both a brilliant and intimidating idea; brilliant because it was an answer to prayer, intimidating because it seemed like a tall order. Then I was reminded, in no uncertain terms, all things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23). So, here I am coming to you, asking for support to make this calling a reality.
At this point you may be thinking:
1) "This sounds great, Ryan, however, aren't there scholarships and other options you can apply for?" The answer is yes, and I am in the process of filling out a number of application forms. The caveat to that is the winners of those scholarships and awards are not announced until Jan.-Mar. 2019 for the next academic year. That means we would miss out on several months of talking with people, sharing our vision for this mission, and raising funds.
2) "Can't you get a job in England?" Again, the answer is yes. The issue is that British labour laws for international students (and their spouses and/or dependents) are pretty strict. We each can only work up to 20 hours per week; even then, there is a possibility we might be working minimum wage jobs. While that can/will cover some of our expenses, it won't cover everything.
For those of you interested in an annual cost analysis, it goes a little something like this (annual estimated expenses in USD, based on current exchange rates, rounded up as needed):
-Tuition = $24,000 (must be in place between 60-90 days before the start of classes; approx. June 1)
-Rent = $8,000
-Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage, Phones, Internet) = $3,500
-Bus Passes (we won't have a car) = $1,500
-Visas = $1,000
-Immigration Healthcare Surcharge = $2,000
TOTAL (before tithe, food, books and educational needs, furlough travel, incidentals, coffee, any taxes) = $40,000
After you add in tithe, food, books and educational needs, furlough travel, incidentals, coffee, any taxes, plus anything I may have missed, the total could be closer to $55,000. This total is for one year. My whole program of study will take four consecutive years (similar to an integrated PhD), meaning the grand total will be closer to $220,000.
When I heard big numbers like that in the past, I felt overwhelmed: "How could we manage such a large number? That sounds like a chunk of money to me!" Then, I was reminded of the old adage, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
With that thought in mind, here’s a look at the numbers and how we can tackle Year 1 together:
● If 100 people invest $10/month = $12,000
● If 200 people invest $20/month = $48,000
● If 300 people invest $20/month = $72,000
This degree program will support not only my desire to learn more about congregational worship music of the past 50 years but also how the decisions we make about that music shapes us and our views of God. While there are several perfectly good universities that I could attend stateside, Durham University is the only one I have found that will allow me to pursue a PhD in music focusing on the intersection of music, technology, and Christian congregational worship from a theological point-of-view, without having to be an organist, choral conductor, or primarily a composer. Through my studies I hope to facilitate opportunities for learning and dialogue between Christians of different denominations, allowing them to learn more about their fellow Christians, thereby breaking down some of the barriers of division that have separated members of the Body of Christ, especially in the past 50 years.
Allison and I ask that you partner with us through prayer and humbly request that you consider financially supporting our "Durham University: Year 1" fund (and Years 2, 3, and 4, for that matter!). Thank you for your time and attention.
May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Grace and peace,
Ryan and Allison Mackey
Organizer
Ryan Mackey
Organizer
McPherson, KS