The CFAMC...

...seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and help build His kingdom by encouraging Christian fellowship among its members in the context of their work and witness as composers of art music. We pray that believers will embrace our musical integrity because of our Christian witness, and that our commitment to musical excellence will allow us to bring our Christian witness to the wider art music world....

News & Upcoming Events

The 2011 American Guild of Organists Region V Convention will be hosted by the Lexington, KY  Chapter. Composers are invited to submit new, unpublished organ compositions suitable for use in Church and Synagogue services.  The competition is open to composers of any age, gender or nationality. Organists often search for pieces suited to the scripture for a particular service; for this reason, we have chosen the theme of Biblical Sketches, indicating about 20 Biblical passages from which to choose.  A few examples are:  “The Winds of Pentecost” (Acts 2:1-4); “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19); “The Transfiguration” (Mark 9:2-7); “Jacob wrestling with the angel” (Genesis 32:24-28); and “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13b).  A complete listing will be found under “Composers’ Competition: Rules and Regulations” at the Chapter website www.agolexington.org (click on “Documents and Forms”) or the Convention website www.2011lexingtonago.com. Pieces should be for solo organ, from 2 ½ minutes to 5 minutes in length, and from easy to moderate in difficulty. Winning compositions will be published in a collection by MorningStar Music. First prize is $1000, second prize is $800, third prize is $500, and honorable mentions will receive $200. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 1, 2010.  Details of the submission procedure can be found at the websites above. Inquiries about the competition may be sent to John_Courter@berea.edu

Ron Hess was recently published in the journal Perspectives of New Music. The full citation is: Ronald L. Hess, "Stuart Saunders Smith's Links No. 6 (Song Interiors): How Can I Tell What I Think Until I See What I Sing," Perspectives of New Music 47th ser., 1 (2009), 211 - 232.

CFAMC National Conference 2010 - Call for Participation

The Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers (CFAMC) will hold its national conference on October 15-17, 2010 at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Proposals are solicited in six categories: (1) Works intended for traditional concert performance; (2) Works suitable for live performance in a casual setting (i.e., a public coffeehouse with patrons coming and going, conversing, etc.); (3) Sacred works suitable for inclusion in a college-wide worship service; (4) Recorded works (complete, partial or in progress) that could be shared and discussed during a Peer Feedback Session; (5) Films with original music in DVD format; (6) Panel Discussion Topics. Composers are encouraged to submit entries in multiple categories.

(1) and (2) Composers interested in having a work performed should submit up to three (3) scores for Chamber Choir (SATB), Large Chorus (SATB), Women's Choir (SA), Children's Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Strings, String Quartet, Wind Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Quartet or Quintet, Percussion Ensemble, or chamber works for any combination of instrument(s), voice(s) or pre-recorded electronics (CD/DAT). Sacred works are encouraged.

(3) Composers may submit up to three (3) works of sacred art music suitable for inclusion in a college-wide worship service. This service will be attended by approximately 3,000 IWU students and faculty Our desire is to present sacred art music in a compelling way and show how it can be effectively used in a worship setting.

(4) Composers may also submit recordings of works that they would be interested in discussing and receiving feedback on during a Peer Feedback Session. If desired, a list of suggested discussion questions may also be submitted.

(5) Film composers may submit up to three (3) film works in DVD format. Film content should reflect a Christian worldview in keeping with the nature of the conference, the CFAMC and the host institution, but may be thought provoking and creative in its methods.

(6) Composers may submit a list of up to five (5) topics relevant to Christian composers that they would be interested in discussing as a participant in a Panel Discussion Session.
Submission Checklist:

1. Printed scores for each submission.
2. A separate CD recording for each submission (if available) labeled clearly with the title and composer’s name.
3. A brief biography
4. Program notes for each work on a separate sheet of paper with the title of the work and composer’s name clearly labeled.
5. A cover letter including a list of the items submitted, durations for each item, the composer’s contact information (email is preferred), and an indication of whether or not the composer can supply performers, if needed.

Applicants must be members in good standing of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers at the time of submission. A list of current members and information about how to join or renew membership in the CFAMC may be found at www.cfamc.org<http://www.cfamc.org>. Each participant selected will have their registration fee waived. Since a primary purpose of CFAMC events is to foster Christian fellowship among its members, pre-registration and full attendance at the conference is required for all composers selected. Costs for transportation, housing and meals are the responsibility of each participant. Any costs related to rental or purchase of published pieces must also be borne by the composer.

The postmark deadline for submissions is February 15, 2010 or until all conference slots are filled. Please send materials to: Dr. Marc Wooldridge, Division of Music Indiana Wesleyan University, 4201 S Washington Street, Marion, Indiana, 46953. For further information, please contact Marc Wooldridge at marc.wooldridge@indwes.edu or at 765-677-2038.

Kallisti Music Press in Philadelphia is publishing AJ Harbison's art song "New Hope," with several other scores to follow. More details are on his website: http://www.ajharbison.com/2009/12/published/.

Are dues due? Why yes, they are. 2010 dues should be paid by January 1.

Compositional opportunity: My name is Sam Cogburn and I'm a Christian classical guitarist. I am interested in working with composers who have existing works with guitar, solo or chamber, and also with composers who are interested in writing more for the instrument. I had an idea for a recording project, which would be my first, of living christian composers of classical/art music. I have no specific agenda yet, or timeline, but want to get the ball rolling by contacting some of you who are interested in writing more or who have existing works. Email sd.cogburn@gmail.com or call 719-529-9840 to inquire further. At the moment I am based in Denver Colorado.

Walter Saul writes: The new piano work Palingenesia is finished! This work is a meditation on the Lord’s continual re-creation of us in Jesus Christ as expressed so beautifully in Romans 8:22-23. This work will receive its world première at my piano recital on Friday, October 30, 2009, 7:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 1540 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721. The concert will include a new piece by CFAMC member David Horace Davies entitled The Wordless Book. On a personal note, Daphne and I were blessed on Sunday, July 26, 2009 with a precious new grandson, Jesse Robyndronuth Williams! Of course, I had to keep up the family tradition by making sure he had music written especially for him on this joyous occasion. So I labored and brought forth Three Lullabies just in time to welcome him here. They are written in that wonderful Alec Wilder style and celebrate God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I am thinking that “Holy Spirit” may be the first twelve-tone serialistic lullaby written, but I am open to correction here. I also have a new website, designed by my wife Daphne, at www.waltersaul.com. All CFAMC members are invited for a visit!

CFAMC member Tony K.T. Leung had his composition "Six Degrees of Separation" selected for recording on ERM. Congratulations Tony!

Walter Saul's From Alpha to Omega: Prelude and Fugue X will be performed by the Fresno Pacific University Community Wind Ensemble in a program in Carnegie Hall in New York City on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at 8:00 pm.

CFAMC member Mark Chambers is having his composition, ...glass darkly..., performed in New York City at the International Arts Movement Encounter 2009 on Thursday Feb. 26th. Contact him for details.

CFAMC member Barb Holm announces the premiere of her new string quartet, "Childhood", which will be performed by the Lake String Quartet at a Thursday Morning Artist Series Concert, Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 10:30AM at the Bloomington Center for the Arts (1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN, near 35W and 98th St. exit). If you are in the area, please join Barb for this exciting event.

CFAMC is now on Facebook! Come join in the newest way to communicate with other CFAMC members. After joining Facebook, just send a request to join the "Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers" group.

Please e-mail Greg Scheer with your news items, events and opportunities..