October 5, 2026
FORT WORTH, Texas — Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College welcomed the community on Tuesday, Sept. 29, nearly filling Reynolds Auditorium for the Centennial Concert Celebration recognizing 100 years of musical training in the historic Cowden Hall.
“Thank you for being here for a very special occasion in this historic place as we celebrate a century of God-honoring music that has been performed and taught and taken place here day after day to the glory of God,” President David S. Dockery said as he welcomed attendees to the celebration.
The cornerstone for Cowden Hall was laid on January 10, 1926, and in December of that year, the grand opening celebration was held over four days, including performances by Southwestern faculty, students, and visiting performers. I. E. Reynolds, the first director of what was then called the Department of Gospel Music, led the Southwestern Choral Club in a performance of Handel’s Messiah as part of the celebration.
“We feel really honored to have all of you with us tonight as we celebrate the 100th birthday of this grand and beautiful building,” said Joseph Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship (SCMW). “Tonight, we’re here to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the vision that He gave I. E. Reynolds when he designed Cowden Hall to train students to be biblically faithful, to be musically excellent, and to be ministry-driven. But our concert is about much more than just a building. Through the music, we’d like to share a story that celebrates our Savior Jesus Christ and gives glory to God for the gift of music.”
The celebration concert included three acts that recognized the musical heritage of biblical figures, church leaders, and faithful musicians and writers whose names are featured on the exterior of Cowden Hall.
Some of the people honored included Clement of Alexandria, an author who wrote one of the earliest Christian hymns, “Hymn to Christ,” and mentioned music more than 800 times in his writings, and Ambrose of Milan, a preacher who promoted Psalm singing and wrote “Savior of the Nations.”
Just before the Southwestern Singers performed “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” Crider reminded the audience that Martin Luther, the excommunicated monk who ignited the Protestant Reformation and whose name is featured on Cowden Hall, wrote that hymn. Joshua Waggener, professor of church music and worship, also shared the history of other hymn writers, such as Isaac Watts, known as the father of English hymns, who authored about 600 hymns, including “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” which was performed during the concert.
The concert’s performers included the TBC Choir directed by Sarah Shannon, Southwestern A Cappella directed by Marc Brown, the Southwestern Women’s Choir directed by Kristen Patrick, and the Southwestern Singers directed by Ben Caston. The congregation was invited to join in singing on select songs.
Towards the end of the concert, “An American Hymn medley” arranged by Ricky Johnson was performed in a jazz style, with Crider accompanying on the trombone.
“I bet you didn’t know our dean is a trombone player,” Waggener said.
Crider thanked Dockery, Provost Madison Grace, and other seminary leadership for their support of the SCMW. He also acknowledged Waggener for his work organizing the event.
“We all owe a debt of gratitude and thanksgiving to Dr. Joshua Waggener for his leadership for our Cowden 100th celebration,” Crider said.
Brown, assistant professor of church music and worship, said he enjoyed the blending of different musical groups and styles featured in the concert.
“I loved hearing how each ensemble contributed to providing music representing the names around the top of our building in their own unique styles,” Brown said. “From the modern worship song style presented by TBC Choir to the very traditional sounds of Southwestern Singers and the updated, jazzy sounds of Southwestern A Cappella, as well as the hymn medleys–everyone’s various style preferences were touched while keeping the story clear.”
Crider encouraged the audience to learn more about the historical figures of Cowden Hall in the current issue of Artistic Theologian, the SCMW’s academic journal that featured articles on the centennial anniversary of the building.
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