Derrick Horne, Director of Music Ministry, is currently a Professor of Practice in Music at SMU, where he is also Director of the Meadows Jazz Orchestra. In addition to his work in the academy, he is a recording artist, copyright consultant to publishing houses, composer, songwriter, author, choir director, and instrumentalist (playing the piano/keys, organ, as well as acoustic, electronic, and bass guitars), among many other things.

Derrick has long and extensive experience in sacred music, including being on the music staff for churches that include United Methodist, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, and non-denominational congregations. His many accomplishments have led him to be a voting member of The Recording Academy (formerly the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). And for a bonus, he has had a composition in the pool for a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Personally, Derrick originally hails from Longview, TX but currently lives in Addison with his wife and their son Isaac.