Sing a New Song! North American Composers Forum 2024
Fifty Salvationist composers gathered at The Salvation Army’s Central Territorial Headquarters in Chicago in mid-January to experience an intensive weekend of music education, fellowship, and worship. The North American Composers Forum (NACF) is held every two to three years, starting more than 20 years ago at Asbury University under the stewardship of Dr. Ronald Holz, O.F., and music secretaries from the five North American Territories. The event has not changed format much since its inception, providing one-on-one tutorials with noted Salvation Army composers, general sessions, breakout sessions on composing techniques, and times of reflection and worship.
At this year’s event composers heard their music performed live by a brass band, choir, or worship team — which is always an eye and ear-opening experience. Most composers now utilize computer software to write their music, and hearing compositions played or sung live can alter the accuracy, difficulty, and perception of their works. Feedback from faculty members and the performers also inform the writers on how to improve their work — usually done with positive affirmation for the composer.
This year’s event also included a song writing track, which encouraged those that compose contemporary worship songs to collaborate with one another and learn the art of melody, chord progression, and how to marry text with music. This was a welcome return for the songwriters after not being in the last few iterations of the forum.
Delegates from the South included Jimmy Cox (AOK), Lensky Petion (FL), Timothy Burleigh (GA), Micah Roberts (KT) and Julio Archilla (PMC). Micah and Julio both won a scholarship to attend the forum after showing outstanding promise as composers at the Southern Territorial Music Institute. We hope and pray for more contributions from all these fine composers — which will add immense value to our worship expressions on a weekly basis.
Special guests Peter Graham and Andrew Blyth, from the UK, added a wealth of experience to the forum — offering their perspective as long-time composers and editors. Stephen Bulla, Dr. Steve Kellner (both PMC), Phil Laeger (KT), Josh Powell, and Nick Simmons-Smith (both THQ) attended as faculty members from the Southern Territory.
William Himes, O.F., led a beautiful time of worship on the final day as the composers considered their gifts and how God could use them. Delegates and faculty prayed with each other and encouraged one another until the very final moments of the worship service. It was a beautiful way to conclude an incredibly special event.