Conferences

2025 CFAMC Conference

Conference Theme: Sound, Light and Imagination
October 16 – 18, 2025

Indiana Wesleyan University / 4201 S Washington Street / Marion, IN / 46953
Host: Dr. Marc Wooldridge, IWU Professor of Music Theory and Percussion

Composers must be current members of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers. If you are not currently a member, you may join here (for as little as $1). Selected composers are required to attend the entirety of the conference. The registration fee for the entire conference is $100 ($50 for students). Our conferences are a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and encouragement, even for those whose work is not selected. We encourage any interested composers to attend.

Score and Paper Submission Form

Guidelines for score submissions:

  1. Up to 2 scores total across all categories may be submitted by each composer
  2. A score in PDF and an MP3 (either a recording or a MIDI realization) must be included for each piece submitted.
  3. There is a time limit of 12 minutes duration for each composition submitted. Shorter pieces may have a better chance of being chosen. Individual movements of larger works are acceptable.
  4. Compositions will be selected based on several factors including, but not limited to, availability of performers (chamber) and performability by the ensembles.
  5. Review of submissions will begin on June 1 and continue until all slots are filled.
  6. Final selections will be announced by August 15, 2025. Notifications will be sent via email.
  7. Selected composers must submit parts in PDF and register for the conference by September 1, 2025. All selected composers are required to attend the conference. If a selected composer does not register by September 1, 2025, the composer’s work(s) will be dropped from the program.
  8. Students who would like to participate in a masterclass with a guest composer, please indicate this interest in your submission.

Questions can be directed to Marc Wooldridge at:

Composers may submit to one or more of the ensemble categories:

  • Composer-provided performers
  • Soprani Compagni (IWU faculty ensemble–soprano duet with piano)
  • IWU Chorale—SATB; divisi OK; a capella or with piano*
  • IWU Chamber Choir (8-12 SSAATTBB) a cappella or with piano*
  • IWU Cantate (20-30 SSAA) a cappella or with piano*
  • IWU Orchestra–String Orchestra or Orchestra with limited brass, woodwind, percussion
  • IWU Honors Brass Quintet (2 trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba)
  • IWU Saxophone Quartet (SATB or other combination if desired)
  • IWU Clarinet Quartet (3 Bb clarinets and bass clarinet)
  • IWU Flute Ensemble (flute, piccolo, alto flute)
  • IWU Handbell Ensemble (3 octave–C3-C6)
  • IWU String Quartet
  • Mixed Chamber Ensemble (vocal, brass, woodwind, percussion, piano, strings including harp or guitar)
  • Peer Review Session: video-taped performance followed by feedback from a panel of composers and/or Q&A Session.

*Other instruments may also be included; please check availability.

Guidelines for Paper Proposals:

  1. Up to 2 proposals may be submitted by each presenter.
  2. Papers should address the conference theme – Sound, Light and Imagination – and/or a topic relating to the intersection of faith and the musical arts. Papers exploring music theory, musicology, and theology of music are also welcomed.
  3. Please provide a 400–600 word abstract outlining the scope and purpose of your topic, and its relevance to this conference.
  4. Papers should fit into a 20 minute presentation spot (including pertinent audio/visual material). Eight to ten minutes for Q&A will be allowed immediately following each presentation.
  5. Submissions will be reviewed by a committee of composers and academics. Selections will be made by August 1, 2025.

 

Past National Conferences

  • 2024 Oct. 10 – 12, 2024: Houghton University
  • 2023 Jun. 22 – 24: Meetinghouse Church, Minnesota
  • 2022 Mar. 25 – 26: Fresno Pacific University
  • 2021 Oct. 23: Virtual International Conference
  • 2020 Oct 17: Virtual International Conference Review Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13
  • 2019 Oct. 17 – 19: Mississippi College and Belhaven University
    Greeting from CFAMC founder Mark Hijleh, Reflections, Photo, Review Part 1, Review Part 2, Review Part 3, Review Part 4, Review Part 5, Review Part 6, Review Part 7, Review Part 8, Review Part 9
  • 2018 Nov. 1 – 3: Malone University
  • 2017 Oct. 5 – 7: Fresno Pacific University
  • 2016 Oct. 6 – 8: Mississippi College and Belhaven University (Reviews)
  • 2015 Oct. 8 – 10: Malone University
  • 2014 Oct. 9 – 11: Biola University
  • 2013 Oct. 25 – 26: Houghton College
  • 2012 Mar. 1 – 2: Mississippi College
  • 2010 Oct. 15 – 16: Indiana Wesleyan University
  • 2008 Oct. 10 – 11: Indiana Wesleyan University
  • 2006 Sep. 29 – Oct. 1: Northwestern College
  • 2004 Sep. 17 – 19: Duke University
  • 2002 Feb. 22 – 23: Butler University
  • 2000 Jun. 21 – 25: Georgia Institute Technology
  • 1999 Sep. 24 – 25: Warner Pacific College
  • 1998 Jul 10 – 11: Houghton College
  • 1997 Sep. 19 – 20: Bowling Green State University
  • 1996 Sep. 27 – 28: Houghton College
  • 1995 Sep. 29 – 30: Houghton College