Song-writers — here’s an opportunity to do some creative work that will bless your friends and might also win you a cash prize or an expense-paid trip to the Global Consultation on Music and Mission in Dallas in July.
One contest is for songs in English. A second contest is for songs in any other language. https://www.syncx.org/contests
7) Two song-writing contests under way (SYNC: See Yourself iN Christ)
The songs can relate to any one of seven themes they’ve identified: https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5a7134_10165374d5ee4dba8bb922333b669a7e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_600,h_129,al_c,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/Screen%20Shot%202019-12-09%20at%2011_37_09%20AM_pn.png
If you’ve studied ethnomusicology, would you be able to say just a quick word about writing songs for/in another culture?
Note that this is somewhat time-sensitive. One of the directors for this initiative wrote us this past week, “Thanks, Doug. FYI, your readers will appreciate this more if you can get it into the next issue because Feb. 29th is the cutoff date for the “Early Bird Awards”–$10 PayPal cash for each of the first 50 who float the proposal/concept they want to turn into a song. Songs themselves aren’t due till the end of March for the global contest or end of April for the English contest, so the Brigada announcement will still be useful even if you can’t put it in next time.”
Writing songs for/in another culture involves understanding the heart language of those people and how they engage with God.
Though I lived in another culture for over 30 years and spoke the language fluently I could only manage the simplest of songs that struck the chords of their hearts. I did write a number of songs that I had translated by a gifted native songwriter and those songs are still being sung.
When I realized that songs had to be written from the heart of a culture I took my place as an encourager and a champion of local musicians to reclaim their language for songs of worship.
When I teach in other cultures (multiple times per year) I have found that the best place to start is with children’s songs. They are simple, singable, understandable, and great foundations for releasing the songs of a people group. Writing songs for children also strips away the unnecessary and distracting (and often western) forms of songwriting they will inadvertently aim at.
PS – I’ve served with YWAM Worship since 1982 in over 50 countries through the years… and I’m still learning SO MUCH about how the nations worship Him!
Belinda, this is a great response. You are *exactly* what we were hoping would come forth. Thank you!