The Methodist School of Music (MSM) celebrates the achievement of Dr Judith Laoyan-Mosomos, Director for Worship & Church Music, who has been awarded the prestigious Perkins Sacred Music Soli Deo Gloria Award. This honour, presented by the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, recognises distinguished graduates who have made significant contributions to church music ministry and education.
The Soli Deo Gloria Award, established in 2010, is reserved for individuals with at least 25 years of service who have demonstrated excellence in church music. Dr. Laoyan-Mosomos joins an esteemed group of past recipients, including Dr Lim Swee Hong, Deer Park Associate Professor of Sacred Music and Director of the Master of Sacred Music Programme at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto.
Dr Laoyan-Mosomos has served in church music across the Philippines, the United States and Singapore. Her career includes teaching at esteemed institutions such as the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music, St Andrews Theological Seminary, Sekolah Teologi Malaysia, the Cambodia Methodist Bible School and MSM. At MSM, which she joined in 2006, Dr Laoyan-Mosomos has been instrumental in shaping worship education, pioneering initiatives such as the Certificate in Christian Worship (2013), a programme for church worship leaders and musicians, and Children in Worship (2022), a training programme equipping children in church music.
A gifted choir conductor and passionate advocate for congregational singing, Dr Laoyan-Mosomos has served with the Methodist Festival Choir—a choir comprising Methodist and non-Methodist church choristers in Singapore—as its Artistic Director since 2013. Her influence extends beyond Singapore, having contributed to hymnal committees for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and the interdenominational hymnal Let the Asian Church Rejoice.
Dr Laoyan-Mosomos has worshipped at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church (KKMC) since she joined MSM and has been instrumental in shaping the worship ministry and liturgy there. She also conducts KKMC’s Chancel Choir.
“Serving at MSM for 19 years has been a deeply fulfilling journey. From equipping worship ministers to planning liturgies, meeting choristers from diverse backgrounds in the Methodist Festival Choir, being part of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church’s worship team and introducing congregational songs—every step has been a privilege. My hope is that those who have received these gifts have been as blessed as I have. To God alone be the glory!” said Dr Laoyan-Mosomos, who is married to Brent. They have two children, Canaan Agkhoyo, 29, and Chaya, 26.
MSM’s Executive Director, Clarissa Tan, also highlighted Dr Laoyan-Mosomos’ impact, stating: “Judith’s deep passion for worship and church music has been a blessing to MSM and the churches we serve. Her work in education, training and choral leadership continues to nurture and equip worship leaders and musicians for the church.”
Her leadership and dedication have been invaluable to The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, who has chaired the AldersgateSG committee for several years, reflected on her contributions. “Judith has been very creative, helpful and an inspiration to many of us. Her leadership in worship and music ministry has deeply enriched our Methodist community,” he said.
Gwendolyn Tan is the Senior Executive for Communications, Methodist School of Music. / Photos courtesy of Methodist School of Music and Judith Laoyan-Mosomos