John Francis

Assistant Professor of Music and Worship

John Francis is a native of Monticello, Kentucky and earned his bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Master’s degree in Worship Arts from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth where he is currently working on a PhD in Church Music, with an emphasis on Worship Arts.
As a faculty member of Hannibal-LaGrange University, Mr. Francis directs the HLGU Symphony Orchestra and is the director of the Clarion Trumpet Choir. He also teaches applied lessons and classes in music and worship on campus.

Mr. Francis has played all over the world, most recently as soloist with the El Salvador National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to being a Southern Baptist worship leader for over 25 years, he is the former principal trumpet of the Jefferson Brass Quintet, trumpet soloist in the Country Gentlemen Jazz Quartet, and is the director emeritus of the Somerset Brass, a municipal band in Somerset, Kentucky.

Mr. Francis’ trumpet playing has also been demonstrated in the 1993 movie, Gettysburg. He has written the book, Sound the Trumpet and has several writings and arrangements published by LifeWay (Nashville) and Cleff Publishing (Olathe KS). He has written academically for the International Trumpet Guild Journal (Trumpets of the Qumran) and for The Artistic Theologian (Eating Beauty: Book Review).

Mr. Francis is married to Kimberly Francis, a parent educator with Parents as Teachers. They have two married children, Madelynn Hendrickson, married to Jacob Hendrickson and Tristan Francis, married to Sarah Francis. He has three lovely grandchildren, Jael, Nava, and Talia Hendrickson.

John has a blogsite for his research, biblicaltrumpets.org.

You can follow Mr. Francis on social media:

Facebook: @johnlesliefrancis

Twitter: @johnlfrancis

LinkedIn: @johnlfrancis

Educational Background

  • M.A. in Worship Arts 2016 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Thesis: “Trumpets in Scripture: The Representative Voice of God”
  • B.A. Music 1992 Eastern Kentucky University Trumpet Performance, Emphasis in Music Composition Honor’s paper: “The Doctrine of Ethos”
  • Current Degree Being Sought Ph..D. in Church Music, Worship Arts Emphasis Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Completed all class work. In qualifying stage, and midway through dissertation.

Memberships

  • Alumni: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity of America
  • Member in good standing: International Trumpet Guild

Teaching Areas & Research Interests

  • Biblical Musicology
  • Music History
  • Worship History and Practice
  • Conducting
  • Brass

Publications

  • “Trumpets Of The Qumran” 2017 International Trumpet Guild Journal, June 2017
  • “Eating Beauty: The Eucharist and Spiritual Arts of The Middle Ages: Book Review” 2017 Artistic Theologian, Vol. 5, 2017 2017
  • Sound the Trumpet [Self-Published Book] 2011 “In The Groove: Eight Ways to Maximize Praise Team Rehearsals” Let’s Worship Magazine, Lifeway 2013
  • “43 Folders: An Organizational Concept for Worship Leaders” 2014 Let’s Worship Magazine, Lifeway
  • Selected Published Musical Works “I Am Coming Lord”, Handbells Magazine, Lifeway 2017, “O Worship The King”, Handbells Magazine, Lifeway 2015, “King Forever”, for men’s choir and brass, Lifeway, 2010 “Bedeck The Halls” for trumpet and piano, Cleff Publishing 2006