The Winters School of Music

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jon W. Fessenden to The Winters School of Music as Assistant Professor of Music Therapy!

A board-certified music therapist, educator, and researcher, Dr. Fessenden brings extensive clinical experience, a passion for teaching, and expertise in music therapy, music history, and autism research.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Fessenden and his family to the Hattiesburg community!

📖 Read more about Dr. Fessenden's background and accomplishments in the comments.

It’s been a great week hosting the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir & Orchestra rehearsal camp!

Pray for their safety and their gospel impact as they travel the state on tour the next several days. Join them in worship if you are near one of their stops!

𝗔𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟮𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬.

Yesterday at the SBC Worship Micro Conference in Orlando, the SBC Worship Research Committee released data showing our churches will face a staggering shortfall of 20,000 worship leaders over the next 15 years.

This isn't a guess. It’s the result of the largest music and worship study in SBC history, polling 4,530 congregations. We are incredibly proud that our own Dr. Will Bishop is one of the six committee members who conducted this landmark research.

That number is a massive reminder of the harvest ahead. At Carey, we stand ready to train the next 20,000.

As Dr. Bishop shared after the presentation: "Carey is a wonderful place for churches to send young people who are feeling called to serve in worship ministry - we’re ready to partner with churches to meet the needs of our churches."

Let's invest in the future of church music together.

Carey Music Spotlight: Garrett Briley ✨

BS Worship Technology, December 2025

During his time at Carey, Garrett consistently demonstrated high technical ability, strong leadership, and an outstanding work ethic. His ownership of projects and commitment to excellence made him a difference maker within the program and someone faculty knew would make an immediate impact in his future career.

Why Carey?

“I chose Carey because it gave me the chance to be more than just a number, and I was able to learn one-on-one from professors who knew me. Carey prepared me for my career because they allowed me to take ownership of my projects. If I was handed a project, it was my responsibility to make sure it was accomplished with excellence."

We’re proud to spotlight Garrett and celebrate the impact he made during his time at Carey. We can’t wait to see all he accomplishes in the future!

We are happy to announce that Dr. Joel Dunlap, Professor of Music, has been selected to serve on the Mississippi Music Educators Association (MMEA) Board of Directors as the state's Collegiate Advisor.

Dr. Dunlap will serve in this capacity of a two-year period. Dr. Dunlap is the Chair of Vocal & Keyboard Studies for the Winters School of Music at William Carey University.

Congratulations, Dr. Dunlap!

Join us in welcoming Dr. Quintus F. Wrighten, Jr. as our new Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at William Carey University!

Dr. Wrighten brings a wealth of experience from the University of South Carolina and the University of Memphis, along with 13 years in public school band programs. His leadership has shaped nationally recognized ensembles, supported new music initiatives, and contributed to performances on some of the country’s biggest stages - including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A passionate educator and servant leader, he currently serves on the National Band Association Board of Directors and is committed to excellence in music education and performance.

We’re excited for Dr. Wrighten to join the Carey Music family!

👉 Read Dr. Wrighten’s full bio in the comments.